HC Deb 01 July 1968 vol 767 cc1091-2
73. Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Minister of Public Building ad Works when he will announce his policy regarding the disparity between new public investment in construction per head of population in the North-West and in other regions; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of Public Building and Works (Mr. Robert Mellish)

This is only one aspect of the development of the North-West. The Government are now studying the position as a whole in the light of the Report of the North-West Economic Planning Council, and their views will be made known in due course.

Mr. Morris

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is concern in the North-West to see action on this Report at the earliest possible date? Could he also say what has been done by the Government in this very important field?

Mr. Mellish

In the North-West Region from 1964–67 over 40,000 new jobs had been found. The record of the previous Administration over a similar period of time was 29,000 jobs.