HC Deb 04 May 1967 vol 746 cc723-4
30. Mr. Ashley

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will approve the West Midlands Economic Planning Council proposal for a sub-regional study of North Staffordshire to facilitate early redevelopment and expansion of the area.

Mr. Shore

This proposal is one of a number made by the West Midlands Economic Planning Council in its first Report, "Patterns of Growth", which is now under consideration by the Government.

Mr. Ashley

Will my hon. Friend take it that we would like a definite answer to this proposal? There has been a good deal of prevarication by his Ministry, and, if he continues to disregard the recommendations of the Planning Council, this will cause great consternation in the area. Will he, therefore, try to give an early positive answer to this request?

Mr. Shore

The Report to which my hon. Friend refers was published about a month ago, and it is part of a general study of the needs and potentialities of the West Midlands region. It covers a large number of proposals, and we are giving serious consideration to them all.

Mr. Biffen

Will the hon. Gentleman guarantee that any further study of the North Staffordshire sub-regional area will not be used as a pretext for preventing the Ministry of Defence from exploiting the Swinnerton site, which has been hanging in abeyance for very many years?

Mr. Shore

That is a different question, but I shall see whether I can give the hon. Gentleman an answer.