HC Deb 27 February 1980 vol 979 cc1355-6
26. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will be in a position to make a statement about the future of the Development Commission and its associated organisation, the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas.

Mr. Monro

I expect to receive the report of the review group this week. After studying it I shall be consulting my colleagues about the findings.

Mr. Hicks

Is my hon. Friend aware of the substantial contribution that the Development Commission and its associated body COSIRA make in promoting economic activity in rural areas in the English countryside? Does he agree that the long delay that has occurred in determining the future of the commission has caused great anxiety in those areas?

Mr. Monro

I appreciate what my hon. Friend says and how right he is to emphasise the good work done by the commission and COSIRA in the rural countryside in developing employment and industry. It is important that we get it right and that is why we are looking carefully at the situation. We shall make decisions as quickly as possible so that the countryside does not lack help in development.

Mr. Beith

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that COSIRA is moving to new offices in Salisbury in a few weeks time? Will he guarantee that, before it packs its bags, it will know that it will be able to continue its excellent work?

Mr. Monro

I shall be surprised if there is any problem over the offices in Salisbury.

Mr. Cockeram

Does my hon. Friend accept that this quango, like others, tends to grow like Topsy and that while a number of factories are needed in rural areas, there is a limit? Is he aware that in my constituency moving a factory from one village to another is not progress and that taxpayers' money has been used to build factories that are standing empty while there are plans to build still more?

Mr. Monro

That is why my right hon. Friend set up the inquiry into the future of the Development Commission and COSIRA. It would be foolish to anticipate the report as we have not yet seen it, but once we have studied it we shall come to decisions.

Mr. Newens

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in places such as west Essex the principal difficulty facing small businessmen wishing to set up in rural areas is frequently finding a site? Will he ask local authorities to provide more industrial estates, which will help to give small business men an opportunity and assist in preserving the green belt?

Mr. Monro

I have indicated previously that I recognise the importance of the Development Commission and the work that it has done in the countryside, but I do not want to anticipate the report, which we shall receive this week.