§ 37. Mr. Bottomleyasked the Minister for the Civil Service when he expects to make a statement about the dispersal of civil servants to Teesside.
§ Mr. SheldonAs I told my hon. Friend the Member for Goole (Dr. Marshall) on Friday 15th March, we are considering the proposals in the Hardman Report in the light of our policies for promoting employment opportunities in the regions. We shall also take account of issues raised by local authorities and the Staff Side since publication. I hope that we shall be able to announce decisions during the next few months.
§ Mr. BottomleyDoes my hon. Friend recall that Parliament received the Hardman Report last June and that the matter was debated in the House last October. I want an assurance that the Government will move much more speedily than did the previous Government on this matter.
§ Mr. SheldonI fully agree with what my right hon. Friend says. The point which he makes about his own beloved Teesside is fully appreciated by the Department, due to the representations which he has made over a long time. Both the extent and speed of dispersal are matters of especial interest to me, as, indeed, they obviously are to him, and I look forward to coming before the House with specific proposals.
§ Mr. TinnWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Hardman recommendations are totally inadequate for the North-East, particularly Teesside, which remains too heavily dependent on capital-intensive industry and heavy industry, like steel? Will he also bear in mind that this is a matter of extreme urgency?
§ Mr. SheldonI fully accept that point about the area which my hon. Friend represents. Since the publication of the Hardman Report the case for Teesside has been strongly represented by local interests. At present I am trying to arrange further discussions with those concerned.