HC Deb 18 June 1973 vol 858 cc26-8
23. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of his policies on regional development.

Mr. Chataway

My right hon. Friend will be publishing this summer a report on the discharge of his functions under the Industry Act in the financial year ending 31st March 1973. If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular point on which he would like prior information, I should be glad to supply it.

Mr. Taylor

Yes, indeed, and I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. Is it true or untrue that our central and non-central areas will be designated on 1st July? In view of the relevance of this matter to the whole question of regional development and the many answers that we have had in the past saying that the intention was that the designation would be by 1st July, according to the present programmes, will my right hon. Friend say whether they will be designated by the Commission on 1st July? If not, when?

Mr. Chataway

It is the intention to finalise this matter before 1st July. I can confirm that that is the aim under Article 154 of the Treaty of Accession.

Mr. Dalyell

What did the CBI say to the Government about REP?

Mr. Chataway

In due course, one will be able to tell the House what the CBI and the TUC have said—

Mr. Dalyell

The Minister knows very well.

Mr. Chataway

The CBI has published its views and it is for the hon. Member to come to his own conclusions about whether it would have been likely to say the same thing to the Government. The Government's position is that they are now having discussions with the CBI and the TUC.

Mr. Crouch

May I warn my right hon. Friend that if the decision to build a seaport at Maplin proceeds he may have to face pressure from another direction on his regional policy to allow extensive industrial development there? Has he yet given thought to this problem?

Mr. Chataway

In the debates about Maplin, the Government have given close consideration to the regional implications.

Mr. Benn

Now that the Minister has confirmed that the decision on central areas will be made on 1st July, will he say whether the final decision about the application of the Common Market regional policy will be taken by this House, or will it be taken by the Community and enforced on us whatever view we may take of that policy?

Mr. Chataway

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, under Article 154 of the Treaty of Accession there is an obli- gation to supplement the existing rules of the Community to take the British situation into account. We have made it clear that this will not involve any reduction in the level and coverage of the regional aids that we introduced last year, and I believe that that is the point that concerns the House.