§ 17. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Transport what reply he has given to the representations sent to him by the Federation of British Industries regarding road development in the south-west of England.
§ Mr. MarplesThe Federation of British Industries has not made any such representations to me.
§ Mr. HaymanMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to prepare to receive such a recommendation, which was discussed with the Federation and with 18 hon. Members last Thursday, when there was general agreement that the Minister's priorities for road development shows that he regards the South-West as a "Cinderella" of the industrial life of the nation? Will he revise his priorities?
§ Mr. MarplesThat is a very difficult question to answer. I think that it is desirable for regional offices of the F.B.I. to send their complaints to the headquarters of the Federation, which can then make complaints or suggestions on a national scale rather than on a regional scale— [HON. MEMBERS: "Why"?]— because if the south-west region starts making representations it will not be long before the north-east region does the same.