HC Deb 23 May 1968 vol 765 cc847-9
13. Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement about the work of the commissioning body that is considering proposals made by the South-East Regional Economic Planning Council calling for a detailed long-term planning study of the region's future development.

Mr. Shore

The commissioning body held its first meeting on 2nd May. Agreement was reached on the terms of reference for the study and the setting-up of the planning team. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the notice issued to the Press.

Mr. Onslow

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there seems to be an ever-increasing number of bodies claiming to be concerned with planning in the South-East, and that this is causing great confusion? Will he understand that what the South-East wants is fewer planning fingers in the pie and a return to real economic development?

Mr. Shore

The South-East is the largest of the planning regions, and I have no doubt that this additional study, which takes as its starting point the outline strategy of the regional council, will be of great value to it.

Mr. Molloy

Will my right hon. Friend accept that, because of the lack of planning much of the chaos in the South-East, which has been reflected in London, has got worse, and that only planning will alleviate the problem? Will he undertake to take that up, and not take note of the ridiculous assumptions made by hon. Gentlemen opposite?

Mr. Shore

My hon. Friend is right. If there had been sensible regional policies before we came to power, we would not have been faced with the gross regional imbalance between the South and the North which has so disfigured the country and added to our problems today.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Does the right hon. Gentleman really regard paying £100,000 for not one extra job as sensible regional policy?

Mr. Shore

Quite clearly the hon. Gentleman has not understood the philosophy and purpose of the regional employment premium. Its purpose is to make manufacturing industries in development areas relatively able to compete more successfully than similar industries in other regions. That is its purpose. We have had at most nine months to a year's experience of this new measure, and it is far too early to judge its effects.