§ 18. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's relationship with the Scottish Economic Planning Board.
§ Mr. John DaviesSenior officials of my Office for Scotland represent my Department on the Scottish Economic Planning Board and play a full part in its work.
§ Mr. DouglasWill not the Secretary of State agree that a more truthful and accurate answer would be that the relationship is bad? Therefore, would he like to tell the House how his Department managed to convince, in particular, the Chairman of the Scottish Economic Planning Board about changes in I.D.C. policy which would be extremely detrimental to Scotland? Is he aware that the chairman is on record as indicating that such a policy would be harmful to Scotland if pursued by any Administration? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what we are seeing now is an illustration of policies which undermine regional development, particularly in Scotland?
§ Mr. DaviesI would not, of course, assent to the suggestion that these relationships are bad, and I think that the hon. Gentleman is grossly exaggerating the changes made in I.D.C. policy. The nature of the small changes made is entirely to facilitate administration and is not to change the policy of I.D.C. grants at all.