§ 21. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if, in view of the need to avoid restrictions on the development of the county's potential, particularly in the fields of civil aviation and the development of growth industries, he will classify the county of Yorkshire as a region for the purposes of his Department.
§ Mr. HeathThe classification proposed by the hon. Member does not appear to be an improvement on the existing arrangements for the purposes he has in mind.
§ Mr. RobertsMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has given consideration to this? May I ask whether he believes in sound town planning development? It would bring about better co-ordination between the three Ridings.
§ Mr. HeathI appreciate the importance of the point raised by the hon. Gentleman. The whole of the North Riding comes under the North-East Plan, and part of the North Riding is in the growth zone. Therefore, from his own point of view, I do not think that the suggestion put forward by the hon. Gentleman is really satisfactory.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a great deal of research into the social and economic problems of Yorkshire is now taking place? It would help this research if the Minister would geographically delineate the area for which he is going to issue a report.
§ Mr. HeathI shall look into the point about social and economic research in the county. As I am going to spend the next 48 hours there, I shall have the opportunity of consulting them.