HC Deb 08 April 1965 vol 710 cc645-6
15. Mr. Webster

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects to publish the south-western regional plan.

23. Mr. Evelyn King

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when the southwestern plan will appear.

Mr. George Brown

It is too early to say. The South-West Economic Planning Council will shortly be established and must, of course, begin its work before a plan can be formulated.

Mr. Webster

May I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on sparing the time to come here to deal with these Questions? It is really a change. Is he yet in a position to say who will be the chairman of the body, and will he deny any rumours that he is finding great difficulty in finding a chairman?

Mr. Brown

I will deny the rumours. I cannot answer the intermediate point. As to the hon. Gentleman's first point, when I do not come here hon. Members opposite all come, but when they know that I will come they all stay away.

Mr. Thorpe

Since the plan is still in embryo, and we look forward to its publication with interest, will the right hon. Gentleman carefully reconsider the decision to site Bristol as the centre of this region? Is he aware that there is feeling amongst members of all political parties in the South-West that Bristol is not the logical centre—

Mr. Speaker

Order. This will abut itself upon Question Nos. 19 or 20.

16. Mr. Webster

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs on what criteria he proposes to base the South-West Regional Plan.

Mr. George Brown

That it takes account of the particular needs of the South-West Region and considers how these can be integrated into a national plan to contribute to faster economic growth and prosperity.

Mr. Webster

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that very generous expression, but will he be a little more specific and say whether he intends to set up a national board to acquire and carry on any business, investigate and demand any information of any business in the area, or survey any business or any property, as is to happen under the Highland Development Board to be set up by the Highland Development (Scotland) Bill, which has been stated by a Member of the Cabinet to be the prototype of regional development?

Mr. Brown

I cannot see that the South-West is part of the Highlands. In any case, that is not the Question the hon. Member put down. I answered the Question he did put down.