§ 15. Mr. W. T. Rodgersasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will now make a further statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the regional development agencies recommended by the Crowther Steering Group to the Buchanan Committee.
§ Sir K. JosephI do not want to appear unforthcoming, but I will be glad to make a further statement on an appropriate occasion.
§ Mr. RodgersDoes this mean that we may expect a statement within the next month or so? If so, will the Minister bear in mind the strong feeling that exists in the professions concerned and elsewhere that his original apparent rejection of this proposal was peremptory, and that the proposal deserves serious examination, in the light of thegreat deal of current discussion of regional executive authorities on their implications for the whole of local government?
§ Sir K. JosephI shall welcome any opportunity to make my point of view known at greater length. I take very seriously the attitudes of mind and the enthusiasm of the people to whom the hon. Member has referred.