HC Deb 30 June 1986 vol 100 c693
20. Mr. Silvester

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he next plans to visit the Duchy.

Mr. Tebbit

On 23 September of this year.

Mr. Silvester

As my right hon. Friend is reported as saying that it is possible that the English development regions may feature in any future manifesto, would he use his position as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to speed that up and set up a development board for the north-west, including the Duchy, which would add further to the improvements that the Government have made in the north of England?

Mr. Tebbit

I am always surprised to read the things in the press that I am alleged to have said or not to have said, or what other people are alleged to have said about me. I do not recollect saying what my hon. Friend attributes to me. However, the Government will continue with their policies designed, above all, to restore the position of the regions, just as much as we have restored competitiveness to many other parts of British industry.