HC Deb 19 March 1964 vol 691 cc1569-70
21. Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development why he has given up the idea of a report on the economic development of the South-West as a whole.

Mr. du Cann

My right hon. Friend has invited the Joint Committee for the Economy of the South-West to consider, in conjuncion with the other interests concerned, the scope for studying the economic development of the south-west peninsula.

Mr. Barnett

Will the hon. Gentleman therefore deny the report which appeared in the Press to the effect that they had given up any idea of a study of the South-West as a whole?

Mr. Speaker

Will the hon. Gentleman turn that Question round, somehow, because it is not for the Minister to confirm or deny statements in the Press for which he is not responsible.

Mr. Barnett

Will the hon. Member confirm or deny the statement——

Mr. Speaker

Order. That will, I fear, not do.

Mr. du Cann

If it will be of any assistance to the House, and to the hon. Member, perhaps I can say that I returned only yesterday from a tour of the South-West, following the successful tour that my right hon. Friend had in the early part of January, and discussed the question of a development plan with representatives of local authorities in the area. So far as I am aware, there is every likelihood that the work that is already in hand will be continued. It is in the interests of Her Majesty's Government and of any rational appreciation of the problems of the South-West to see the original area of the study broadened. We hope that it may happen, but it is not for us to decide. As for Dorset, that is to some extent covered by the study of the South-East, which is published today.

Mr. P. Browne

Will my hon. Friend confirm, in spite of what the Minister has said, that a regional plan for the South-West will be produced before the General Election?

Mr. du Cann

I would think that that was thoroughly unlikely. It must be so, because the putting together of a plan inevitably requires a great deal of time. I hope that my hon. Friend will agree with the firm impression that I have that the economy of the South-West is very much improved as a result of measures which the Government have already been able to take.

Miss Vickers

Has the Ministry yet decided whether or not to give financial aid to the South-West Regional Committee?

Mr. du Cann

As my right hon. Friend has stated, we have already offered it.