HC Deb 22 February 1982 vol 18 cc573-4
2. Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will examine ways in which his Department can work more closely with the National Economic Development Council on policies to promote industrial expansion.

The Under-Secretary of State for Industry (Mr. John Wakeham)

My Department already works closely with the National Economic Development Council, of which my right hon. Friend is, of course, a member, in examining ways in which policies both at national and sectoral level can best promote industrial expansion. Officials from my Department sit on some 40 of the NEDC's economic development committees and sector working parties which are seeking to promote action at company level or to improve our performance

Mr. Dykes

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. As there appears to be an atmosphere of some crisis in the NEDC, can he reaffirm that, through his Department, the Government intend to work constructively with the NEDC both on the central formation of policy for an industrial strategy and on the sector working parties?

Mr. Wakeham

The short answer to that is "Yes". To give a good example of the progress made, I refer to Sir Henry Chilver, who presented a paper to the council on behalf of the electronics EDC setting out a policy for the electronics industry. This month my hon. Friend the Minister for Industry and Information Technology responded to the council by setting out the Government's strategy for this vital sector of British industry.

Mr. Dixon

Why could British Shipbuilders not carry out the liner contract for the P and O group, bearing, in mind the rationalisation of the industry? If the problem was a shortage of berths, would it not have been a simple matter to switch some of the tankers to Harland and Wolff, in Belfast, or to Swan Hunter's on the river Tyne where there are plenty of joiners, electricians, plumbers and so on who could have been employed on that job?

Mr. Wakeham

This matter does not arise out of the question. It is for the private sector under successive Governments.

Mr. Hal Miller

Is the close co-operation with sector working parties likely to result in the Government adopting a sectoral approach to industrial development rather than the present regional policy?

Mr. Wakeham

The fact that the Government are working closely with the sector working parties does not mean that there is any change in Government policy. Of course, the Government will consider seriously any recommendations of the sector working parties.

Dr. John Cunningham

Is the Under-Secretary aware of the ACARD report on biotechnology and its contribution to what a good industrial strategy should be? What does he think about the Biogen company, one of the three largest biotechnology companies in existence, deciding because of the situation in Britain, not to embark on industrial expansion here? Is that not an indictment of the Government's policies?

Mr. Wakeham

I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman. I certainly read the reports over the weekend. I know of the report referred to by the hon. Gentleman, but I want to study it in more detail before coming to any firm conclusions.

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