HC Deb 16 July 1973 vol 860 cc22-3
36. Mr. David Price

asked the Minister for the Civil Service when he intends to establish a new standard region for Government Departments in the central South of England, based on the new non-metropolitan counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

As I said in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 25th June, the regional boundaries followed by Departments will need to be reviewed both in the light of the new local government boundaries and in the light of the forthcoming report of the Commission on the Constitution.

Mr. Price

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Wessex area—part of the ancient kingdom of Wessex—has for too long been bracketed with the London area in what is called the "South-East Region" and that the population of Wessex is 1 million greater than that of the Province of Ulster, and larger than that of 40 members of the United Nations? I hope my hon. Friend will take that on board.

Mr. Baker

I thought it was King Alfred who founded Wessex. I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend has said. The area he has grouped together falls between the South-East and the South-West. The Government would not wish to change the basic structure of the economic planning regional boundaries in advance of the report of the Commission on the Constitution.

Mr. David Stoddart

In any consideration, will the hon. Gentleman ensure that Wiltshire remains in the South-West, where it wishes to be?

Mr. Baker

I will also bear that in mind.