HC Deb 18 February 1963 vol 672 cc16-7
25. Mr. Bottomley

asked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science, as representing the Lord President of the Council if he will make a further statement about the visit of the Lord President of the Council to Middlesbrough.

Mr. Denzil Freeth

When my noble Friend visited Middlesbrough recently, he was given a very clear and helpful picture of local problems by representatives of the corporation. This was part of a series of fact-gathering tours in the North-East, and there is no special statement to make about it at this stage.

Mr. Bottomley

Will the Parliamentary Secretary convey to his noble Friend that the cause of unemployment in the North-East is Government policy and that his reported criticism of local leadership is very much resented?

Mr. Freeth

I could not possibly accept the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question.