HC Deb 12 February 1992 vol 203 cc974-6
20. Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he next plans to meet representatives of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce to discuss industrial policy.

Mr. Lilley

I next plan to meet representatives of the northern region CBI later this month to discuss a range of business matters.

Mr. Redmond

Does the Secretary of State—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. We are progressing speedily but the Minister has answered Question 21. We are on Question 20.

Mr. Lilley

I meet representatives of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce from time to time to discuss a range of policies.

Mr. Redmond

Does the Secretary of State accept that people living in the real world question the Government's industrial policy? In fact, the Government have had no industrial policy since being elected in 1979. The people are sick and tired of seeing on the television, hearing on the radio and seeing in the press the fairy stories that the Secretary of State keeps preaching from the Dispatch Box. Does the Secretary of State accept that we should have an industrial policy that is beneficial to Britain so that we can meet the challenge of the 21st century?

Mr. Lilley

I read earlier the CBI's rejection of any policy in which the Government tried to pick winners, determine strategic investments and interfere in the decisions of business. That is the sort of industrial policy that industry does not want. Industry wants low inflation, a consequent reduction in interest rates, competition, open markets, a successful GATT round and completion of the European single market at the end of this year. We will provide that.