HC Deb 27 March 1969 vol 780 cc1783-4
27. Mr. Michael Shaw

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what estimate he has made of the net outflow of population each year from the Northern Region, Scotland and Wales, respectively, from 1969 to 1972.

Mr. Urwin

None, Sir. It is very difficult to forecast to what extent the success of intensified regional policy measures will lead to reduced migration from these regions, as well as lower unemployment and higher activity rates.

Mr. Shaw

But does not the hon. Gentleman recall that the National Plan stated that a review was being set up to forecast the trends in population movements? What has happened to that review? May we be told what evidence it gives on this matter?

Mr. Urwin

I should inform the hon. Gentleman that the policy, and the fructification of the policy concerning regional assistance, is intended to produce over the next few years a more even spread of employment opportunities which will in time lead to major reductions in net migration from the less prosperous regions. I should require notice of the other aspect of the hon. Member's question.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does my hon. Friend appreciate that Government assistance to development areas has already been the means of saving many valuable communities from disintegrating, particularly the mining valleys of South Wales which have been acutely affected by pit closures?

Mr. Urwin

Yes. I should point out to right hon. and hon. Gentlemen opposite that the stability of any structure depends entirely on the strength of its foundations—in regional and development area terms—a problem so long neglected by the Opposition when they were in power. The Government are now reinforcing the foundations and building an entirely new fabric in those areas where Government assistance is badly needed.