§ 3.31 p.m.
LORD INGLEWOODMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will state their intentions about the future of the North Pennines Rural Development Board.]
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, as my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has said in another place, we intend to continue the Northern Pennines Rural Development Board, which I understand has widespread local support and which we regard as a worthwhile experiment in finding solutions to the problems of the hill areas.
LORD INGLEWOODMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he is aware that that Answer is not entirely satisfactory, since it is the sort of Answer one would have expected from a Minister in the outgoing Government? Is he further aware that while the people in the North of England are less skilful and noisy in their opposition than the people of Wales, where the proposal to set up a Rural Development Board has now been quashed, and that whereas there is some support in the North of England for this Board, there is also a great deal of opposition; and will he look at this again?
EARL ST. ALDWYNMy Lords, I appreciate that my noble friend is in strong opposition, but certainly it has not been drawn to my attention that there is any widespread opposition. If he would like to give me proof of that, I should be delighted to look at it.