HC Deb 08 March 1971 vol 813 cc25-6
29. Mr. Urwin

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many official visits have been made to the Northern Region by his Departmental Ministers since 18th June, and for what purpose such visits were made.

Mr. John Davies

As the information is lengthy, I will, with permission, circulate it is the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Urwin

May I express the hope that the answer does not include a reference to any Minister having visited the constituency of Houghton-le-Spring? Is the Minister aware that the attitude of Ministers towards the provision of employment opportunities in the Northern Region is matched only by the paucity of sense in the application of a regional policy? Is he aware that I was told last week in answer to a Question that two further advance factories would be allocated to my constituency when those which are vacant are let, that there is not a single advance factory in the whole of the constituency vacant at this time, and that there has not been for some months? Will not the Minister acquaint himself with the problems in the Northern Region and do something about them?

Mr. Davies

I had the opportunity to visit the Northern Region as recently as last month, and I had an opportunity to discuss these matters with a number of people and organisations while I was there.

Following is the information:

Engagements undertaken by Ministers of the Department of Trade and Industry and of its predecessor Departments were as follows:— Mr. Geoffrey Rippon 26th June, 1970—Visit to Newcastle; meeting with Lord Mayor and meeting with Chairman of North East Development Council; visit to the Deuartment's Newcastle Office. Sir John Eden 4th-5th August, 1970—Visit to Newcastle for meeting with Regional Chairman and officials of the National Coal Board; visit to Horden Colliery and the government training centre at Meadow-field; meeting with Brandon & Byshottles Urban District Council; mineworkers unions representatives and miners. Mr. Anthony Grant 14th-15th September, 1970—Visit to firms at Newcastle, Gates-head and Tees-side to discuss export matters. Mr. Nicholas Ridley 12th-13th October, 1970—Opening of factories in Gateshead and Washington; meeting with Planning Committees of Northumberland and Durham County Councils and members of Sunderland Corporation. Mr. Nicholas Ridley 12th-13th November, 1970—Visit to open factory at Washington; meeting with Chairman and members of Northern Gas Board. Visits to British Ship Research Association; lecture at Newcastle Polytechnic; visit to factory and shipyard on Tyneside. Sir John Eden 11 th January, 1971—Visit to shipyards at Sunderland; meeting with the T.U.C. Northern Regional Advisory Committee. Mr. John Davies 19th February, 1971—Visit to Tees-side firms; address to Teesside Chamber of Commerce; informal meeting with acting chairman of the Northern Economic Planning Council.