HC Deb 07 February 1963 vol 671 cc662-3
Q5. Mr. W. T. Rodgers

asked the Prime Minister to what extent the Lord President of the Council is able to make recommendations and exercise powers in relation to the overall national problems of economic growth, industrial development and population as they affect the present situation in the North-East.

The Prime Minister

The terms of my noble Friend's assignment are wide enough to allow him to make such recommendations on these wider questions as he judges would be helpful in dealing with the special problems of the North-East Coast.

Mr. Rodgers

May we take it, then, that the Prime Minister agrees that success in dealing, for example, with the problem of establishing new industry in the North-East is dependent on the overall efficient planning of the location of industry? If that is so, why is it that the Prime Minister has greater faith in the capacity of the Lord President to deal with this situation now, and in isolation, than in the capacity of the President of the Board of Trade to deal with it over a period on a national basis?

The Prime Minister

I think that this has been explained when we have discussed, by Question and Answer, what were the terms of reference and the purpose of the appointment of my noble Friend. As has been said, there is in Northern Ireland a Government who are charged with this duty, and in Scotland there is the whole of the Government machinery. I felt that it would be a good thing if the problems of the North-East—what I might call the three rivers and the hinterland—were looked at as a whole, and I think that my noble Friend will be able to do a good job, both locally and at Whitehall, in trying to find the right solution.

Mr. Jay

If and when the Lord President makes some recommendations, will they be carried out by him or, if not, by whom?

The Prime Minister

The right hon. Gentleman has some experience of Governmental machinery. If my noble Friend makes recommendations and they are accepted by the Government, it will be the duty of the Minister in charge of the particular matter to make the necessary arrangements.