§ 35. Dr. David Owenasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether a Departmental Committee has yet met with the South-West Regional Economic Planning Council to discuss the draft strategy, Region with a Future.
Mr. Alan WilliamsMy right hon. Friend has arranged to meet Professor 1878 Tress on 8th November for a preliminary discussion of the main recommendations.
§ Dr. OwenCan my hon. Friend give any indication when he expects to be able to make a decision on the recommendations and ensure that they are at least not held up as some reports of Regional Economic Councils have been?
Mr. WilliamsI appreciate the hon. Member's concern but I am sure that he would prefer to take perhaps a little longer to reach right decisions than to reach decisions more quickly which are the wrong decisions.
§ Mr. Peter MillsWould the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that what we need, after discussion, is action in the South-West and particularly on those recommendations for better roads and the inclusion of Plymouth and Okehamp-ton in the development area? Will he bear in mind that we need action?
Mr. WilliamsYes. It is with great regret we note that this action did not take place many years ago—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—but there are many views put forward in the Economic Planning Council's Report and they are being given full consideration.