HL Deb 23 May 1979 vol 400 cc440-1

2.56 p.m.

Lord BETHELL

My 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 are aware of the depressed state and high unemployment of various parts of the London area and whether they will review present policy in such a way that regional aid can be provided for these London areas, thus enabling them to qualify also for aid from the EEC Regional Fund.

Viscount TRENCHARD

My Lords, I am sure, or at least I hope, that your Lordships will not expect me to be in a position at this stage to make any detailed Statement about regional industrial policy or to give details of eligibility for assistance from the European Regional Development Fund.

Lord BETHELL

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that Answer—

Several noble Lords: Why?

Lord BETHELL

—but would he agree with me that during his review it would be as well to take into account the fact that the present European Community and British policy of giving aid largely on an area basis is not always fair because pockets of industrial depression and high unemployment can, and do, exist in otherwise prosperous areas? Will my noble friend consider introducing an element of flexibility into regional aid to take into account, for instance, in the London area the Docklands and the Park Royal Estate in Harlesden?

Viscount TRENCHARD

My Lords, at this stage of study the House might be interested if I were to say—and noble Lords probably already know this much better than I do—that assisted areas in this country cover over 40 per cent. of the population area and still there are problems known to us of unemployment pockets and other difficulties outside the area to which I refer, relating to 40 per cent. of the population. With regard to the question of the eligibility for assistance from the European Regional Development Fund, I wish to draw my noble friend's attention to the fact that under existing rules there is a 5 per cent. element, called the "non-quota section", for which inner cities and London would theoretically be eligible; but I have already learnt that all quotas and all funds are already being asked for by many different people in the very great part of the United Kingdom which is now especially treated.