HC Deb 19 March 1964 vol 691 cc1567-9
18. Mr. Merlyn Rees

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development when the White Paper for the proposed Yorkshire regional planning area will be published.

Mr. Heath

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 30th January.

Mr. Rees

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that although we do not have the great problems of Scotland, the North-East Coast or Wales, there are real problems on the horizon, especially in the Sheffield area, arising from new production methods, and that it is a matter of urgency for us to know about any ideas that the right hon. Gentleman has concerning the future?

Mr. Heath

Yes, Sir. I discussed the problems when I was in the region, as the hon. Member knows. In the last five months we have published studies for the North-East, and Central Scotland, which were implemented, and there is one for the South-East which we are publishing today. We have also put in hand studies for the North-West, the Midlands and the south-west of England, and studies for Wales are under way.

Mr. Jay

What steps have the Government taken to see that the various regional plans are consistent with each other?

Mr. Heath

That will be achieved by the inter-departmental co-ordinating machinery, which is working very efficiently.

24. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will designate the County of Yorkshire as a planning region; and, in view of the geographical position of Leeds in relation to the North-East and North-West, if he will designate Leeds as the regional centre.

Mr. Heath

For regional development purposes the North Riding of Yorkshire is included in the North-East region and it is covered by the North-East plan. I am at present considering the position of the East and West Ridings, but I do not contemplate designating Leeds or any other city as their regional centre.

Mr. Roberts

Will the Minister bear in mind that this is a serious problem? Will he consider the enormous influx of population and bear in mind that there are far too many old and decayed industries in the county and that the scale of wages paid there is not comparable with that in most other areas?

Mr. Heath

I will certainly take account of the point which the hon. Gentleman has raised. It would not be right for me to become involved in the other point made in his Question about the capital of the region.

Mr. Jeger

Will the right hon. Gentleman do something to clear up the small pockets of unemployment which exist in various parts of South Yorkshire—of which he is aware, as reference has been made to them over and over again —while he is going through the long and complicated process of making Yorkshire a planning area and carrying out long-term planning?

Mr. Heath

I am aware of the problem arising from this aspect of change in South Yorkshire. It is dealt with to a certain extent by travel to work to firms at the moment in need of labour. This is a problem which will be covered by the study.

Sir Knox Cunningham

When dealing with the various regions which have been referred to today, will my hon. Friend see that the Government do not forget the interests of that part of the United Kingdom called Northern Ireland——

Mr. Speaker

Order. I shall have to buy a map and give instruction in geography.