§ 8. Mr. Maclennanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take fiscal measures to promote regional development.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanMy right hon. Friend will put forward his fiscal proposals in due course. Meanwhile I cannot commit him. But, as stated in the Queen's Speech, we attach the greatest importance to promoting full employment and an effective regional policy.
§ Mr. MaclennanDoes the Chief Secretary accept that that Answer is as opaque as have been all other Answers by Ministers on regional development and that it will give rise to the gravest disquiet in industry in the development areas which is looking for some indication of Government policy? Does the hon. Gentleman accept that we cannot wait until a spring Budget next year to know where we stand in development areas?
§ Mr. MacmillanI am sorry to disappoint the hon. Member, but I think he must get used to the idea that instant government is not our policy.
§ Dame Irene WardWill my hon. Friend point out to hon. Members opposite with reference to regional development that the result on Tyneside of their period of office has been a doubling of the rate of unemployment? Is it surprising that the people preferred the Conservative policy to the policy of hon. Members opposite?
§ Mr. MacmillanI am grateful to my hon. Friend for having made it unnecessary for me to point this out to the hon. 473 Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Mr. Maclennan).
§ Mr. David SteelBefore he embarks on the Government policy of removing investment grants and replacing them with the old investment allowances, will the Chief Secretary consult firms which have moved into development areas and have been greatly attracted by the certainty of the investment grant system?
§ Mr. MacmillanThat is entirely another matter on which there are further Questions on the Order Paper.