HC Deb 03 June 1965 vol 713 cc1934-6
10. Mr. Rhodes

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what are his current plans for the further economic regeneration of the North-East Region.

Mr. George Brown

The Economic Planning Council has already started work with a view to preparing a comprehensive development plan for the Northern Region.

Mr. Rhodes

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in spite of the excellent progress in recent months there are still certain underlying weaknesses in the economy of the North-East, and, in view of that fact will he, as the responsible Minister, give every encouragement to those motor car manufacturers who have made inquiries in this area, to encourage them to establish plant which is so badly needed?

Mr. Brown

As my hon. Friend knows, I was up there very recently myself, and I had a good look at what was going on. I think we have to be very careful not to sound too gloomy about the North-East region—

Dame Irene Ward

Hear, hear.

Mr. Brown

—for although there are many problems still to be settled, nevertheless it is an encouraging and thriving place. Of course there is a lot more to be done and we shall certainly bear in mind all the very real points my hon. Friend has made.

Dame Irene Ward

Would the right hon. Gentleman, in his efforts to help the North-East Coast—I am glad he enjoyed his visit there—advise the Chancellor of the Exchequer to abandon Corporation Tax and will he also advise him to accept our Amendments to the Finance Bill about shipping interests?

Mr. Brown

A good deal of that supplementary question hardly seems to arise out of this Question, but I am glad to say how much the hon. Lady's attendance at the cocktail party added to my enjoyment of my visit.

Mr. Heath

Will the right hon. Gentleman give up the ridiculous pretence that for the first time he is bringing into action a planning group for the North-East? That group was brought into action two years ago by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Hogg); a White Paper was published and received the approval of this House. The whole process was implemented then, and the prosperity of the North-East at the moment owes an enormous amount to it. It would be a help if he were to give a clearer picture of the situation and if he took more responsibility for the work he is trying to do himself.

Mr. Brown

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. As a matter of faot, I have always been willing to pay tribute to such work as was done before we came in and on which we were able to build. I wish I could say as much of the attitude of the right hon. Gentleman to the work we have been doing since.

Dame Irene Ward

What has the right hon. Gentleman done?

Several Hon. Members

rose—

Mr. Speaker

Much as I should like to call other hon. Members on the Question, we are making such slow progress with Questions that I think we had better get on.