§ 1. Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he expects to announce his decisions on the report and study for the South-East Economic Planning Council.
§ 18. Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what decisions he has now made on the proposals of the South-East Regional Council in the light 581 of the Government's economic measures outlined in the budget.
§ The Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. Peter Shore)I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Portsmouth, West (Mr. Judd) on 20th March.—Vol. 761, c 111–113.]
§ Mr. CostainDoes not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that, in the seaside areas, where there is a fall off in employment, we need a policy? What do the Government propose to do about industrial development certificates? Cannot he make a statement so that we may get the economy going again?
§ Mr. ShoreWe have yet to give our response to the Report of the South-East Regional Economic Planning Council but hope to be able to do so before very long.
§ Mr. RidsdaleMay I reinforce what my hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Costain) has said? Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the South-East Study is vitiating ha rd against some seaside areas?
§ Mr. ShoreThe Study drew attention to some of the problems of these areas. The Ministers concerned will be considering it further when we come to reply to the Economic Planning Council's strategy.