§ Q4 Mr. Urwinasked the Prime Minister (1) how many official visits he has made to the Northern Region since 18th June 1970;
(2) when he next intends to visit the Northern Region.
§ The Prime MinisterI have not yet paid an official visit to the region, but I shall be visiting it next Saturday and Sunday.
§ Mr. UrwinDoes the Prime Minister recall his election pledge to pursue a strong and vigorous regional policy? Is he aware that the credibility gap between promise and action yawns increasingly wider in the development areas? During his visit on Saturday, will he endeavour to discover the extent of the deep dissatisfaction and unease in the region over the failure of the Government's regional policy? Will he then instruct his Ministers to readopt the policies pursued by the Labour Government to reduce unemployment rather than to increase it, which is the present Government's policy?
§ The Prime MinisterWhile I am in the North-East I shall have the opportunity of discussions with a variety of people on the situation there. I do not propose to return to the policies of the last Administration. There is very wide support in the North-East for the work which was done to build on Lord Hailsham's plan, and the proposals for the development of growth areas and infrastructure which were made after that. I also find that there has already been a warm welcome for the special arrangements recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.