HC Deb 18 July 1979 vol 970 cc1777-8
72. Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he will make a statement about the review of dispersal policy.

73. Mr. Bendall

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he is satisfied with the job dispersal scheme; and if he will make a statement.

78. Mr. Marlow

asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he is satisfied with the job dispersal scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Channon

I refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friends to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr. Patten) on 11 June.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

Is the Minister aware that the review which he is carry- ing out has caused deep disappointment in the recipient areas in the regions of this country? Will he, therefore, remember that any cuts in programmes of dispersal to the regions will be regarded as reneging on promises that have been made to the regions in the past, and that any short-term public expenditure gains that might be achieved as a result of cuts in the dispersal programme would be at the cost of massive public expenditure gains in the long term, which would go on accruing into the foreseeable future?

Mr. Channon

I shall certainly bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says and consider it during the course of the review.

Mr. Bendall

Does my hon. Friend accept that 30 years of dispersal of jobs—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."]—around the country—[HON. MEMBERS: "Reading."]—I am not reading—have left the capital without jobs and homes? Will he make a statement aimed at reversing that policy?

Mr. Channon

That view has been expressed to me very forcefully by London Members from all quarters of the House, and it is also a factor to be borne in mind.

Mr. Marlow

Does my hon. Friend realise that those areas of the country to which population has been dispersed would he only too happy if that population were allowed to remain within London and the jobs and houses were provided within London?

Mr. Channon

That is a view that I have had to consider, and we are bearing all these considerations in mind.

Mr. Sheerman

Is the Minister aware that the overcrowding that will take place in London and the South-East as the Conservative Government's policies start to bite will denude areas such as Yorkshire and Humberside? It is putting back the clock to squeeze people into a part of the country that at present has a sufficiently large population and enough wealth.

Mr. Channon

Again, I note the hon. Gentleman's view. It is violently different from views expressed by other hon. Members, including those on the Labour Benches.