§ 4 and 5. Dame Irene Wardasked the Parliamentary Secretary for Science, as representing the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will now make a statement on his long-term plans for the North-East coast;
(2) what decisions have been taken for the co-ordination of the work of Government Departments in operating the long-term North-East coast regional plan.
§ Mr. Denzil FreethI would ask my hon. Friend to wait for the announcement which will be made later this week about the Government's plans for the North-East.
§ Dame Irene WardCan my hon. Friend kindly state whether the plans will be made known in the House of Commons, or perhaps in another place, or to the Press, and whether we who are vitally interested in this matter will have the chance, as I hope, of congratulating Her Majesty's Government on their decisions?
§ Mr. FreethI think my hon. Friend will feel like congratulating the Government when she hears the announcement.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsIs not the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) important? Is the announcement to be made in this House? If so, will it be debated?
§ Mr. FreethThe answer to the second part of that question would depend upon the Chair. As to the first point, I understand that an announcement will be made in this House, time and so on permitting.