§ 14. Mr. Merlyn Reesasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development to what extent regional development through planning is an element in the economic policy of Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. HeathOur economic policies give full weight to the contribution which balanced regional development can make to national growth.
§ Mr. ReesWould the Secretary of State estimate when we will have regional plans for the country as a whole? Would he also explain what link there is between the national plan and the regional plans?
§ Mr. HeathI have from time to time given the House approximate dates, 572 where possible, for the completion of the studies which are now in hand. Some of them are at the stage when it is not yet possible to estimate accurately what the date will be. It will then be seen how the individual regional arrangements fit into the national programmes, which are announced from time to time, on particular items.
§ Mr. JayCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether he shares the views of his right hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, South-West (Mr. Powell) on this issue?
§ Mr. HeathThose views are well known and are often debated in the House. They sometimes differ from those of the Government in some respects towards regional development.