§ 21. Mr. Henigasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he now expects an initial report from the Hunt Committee.
§ Mr. ShoreI have as yet nothing to add to the Answer given on 9th November to my hon. Friend and the hon. and learned Member for Darwen (Mr. Fletcher-Cooke).—[Vol. 753, c. 1235–7.]
§ Mr. HenigIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is now desperate anxiety in many of the grey areas about industrial firms being attracted away into the development areas? As he has frequently said that the Government might initiate action before the Hunt Committee reports, can he now say under what circumstances he would contemplate this kind of action?
§ Mr. ShoreI know well of my hon. Friend's anxiety, and the particular case that he brought to my attention is a matter on which we have corresponded. However, I cannot go beyond what I said to the House in the debate that we had just over four weeks ago, that we did not, as it were, close the door on taking action in advance of the Hunt Committee's report, but that we should have to consider the matter further.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the Hunt Committee has yet decided what constitutes a grey area? Has it yet got to first base in this inquiry?
§ Mr. ShoreI think that this is probably one of the most difficult things that it has to do—[Laughter.] I do not see why that should provoke any mirth. A large number of regional councils in different areas of the country are submitting evidence which, in their view, establishes a case for treatment as a grey area. We may have certain ideas about what a grey area is, but, when one looks at the full range of areas which are submitting evidence, it is a very wide category indeed.
§ Mr. OgdenIs my right hon. Friend aware that continual reference to "grey areas" does not help to describe these areas, which are vital, attractive and everything else? Will he ban the term "grey areas" from use in this House? Can he also say when we will have an interim report from the Hunt Committee, because some of us feel that it is an obstacle to action rather than a help, with respect to the Members of that Committee.
§ Mr. ShoreI understand my hon. Friend's objection to the use of the term "grey areas", but it was one which was imposed on me rather than one which I volunteered. I think the term "intermediate area" is a bit more neutral and is perhaps more satisfactory. I have not asked for an interim report from the Hunt Committee, and I certainly should not do so unless I was assured that this did not lead to delay in the preparation of the full report.
§ Mr. CleggWill the Minister explain why his own Department is not capable of taking decisions without waiting for the report when all the known facts are available?
§ Mr. ShoreAll the known facts may be available to the hon. Gentleman, but they have not been available to other people in this country. Certainly no information existed about regions in this country until this Government came to power.