HC Deb 23 May 1968 vol 765 cc856-7
24. Mr. Arthur Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when he now expects to receive the Report from the Hunt Committee.

Mr. Shore

I understand that the Committee is hoping to report in the autumn.

Mr. Davidson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us would not be entirely astonished if North-East Lancashire were to figure rather prominently in any findings of the Hunt Committee? Would he, therefore, give an assurance that the Government will speedily implement its recommendations?

Mr. Shore

I am absolutely certain that North-East Lancashire's case has been submitted to and will be very carefully considered by the Hunt Committee. The Government will obviously act upon suggestions of the Hunt Committee when they have considered what those conclusions are.

Mr. Blaker

Reinforcing the points made by the hon. Member for Accring-ton (Mr. Arthur Davidson), does the Minister recall that when the Chairman of the North-West Economic Planning Council said that he would not be available for reappointment, he indicated that this was because of the sense of frustration at the lack of progress in connection with the problems of exactly the areas the hon. Member spoke about?

Mr. Shore

I personally do not accept that there has been a lack of action. We have set up this Committee and it is doing its job as quickly as it can be reasonably expected to do it.

Mr. Richard Wainwright

If the Hunt Committee is not able to produce a full report by September, will the right hon. Gentleman consider asking it to make an interim report?

Mr. Shore

I have considered that, but I have reason to believe that we shall get a full report in the autumn as I have indicated.

26. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will obtain from the Hunt Committee the evidence it has so far heard on the problems of the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.

Mr. Shore

Some evidence has already been published but unless the body which submitted it decides to do so it remains confidential to the Committee.

Mr. Hooley

Is the Minister aware that the somewhat leisurely approach of the Hunt Committee to the problems of this and other areas is holding up important decisions about the clearance of industrial dereliction, the siting of industry, and planning of Humberside with which we want to get on?

Mr. Shore

I cannot accept that the work of this Committee has been proceeding at a leisurely pace. I understand the impatience of my hon. Friends in areas which consider themselves to be intermediate areas, but I must emphasise that this is a serious problem which requires a serious and thorough examination.