§ Q6. Mr. Denis Howellasked the Prime Minister which Minister has responsibility for regional economic planning councils and boards.
§ The Prime MinisterAs regards the English regions, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Housing and Local Government; as regards Scotland and Wales, the respective Secretaries of State.
§ Mr. HowellWill the Prime Minister give an assurance that he fully accepts the concept of regional strategy in order to harmonise the conflicting interests of industry, local government planning, and so on; and that future Government policy will be fully based on that strategy?
§ The Prime MinisterI should have thought that was a broad statement of the desirable aims of regional development which could not be denied.