HC Deb 28 February 1969 vol 778 c380W
Mr. E. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs when the Central Planning Unit proposes to have discussions with local authorities affected by the study on Severnside.

Mr. Urwin

For the reasons explained in my Answer to the hon. Member on 21st February, the time for consultation with local authorities will come once the Unit's general assessment of the Severn-side area has been submitted to the Government.—[Vol. 778, c.233.]

Mr. E. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what is the present membership of the Central Planning Unit conducting the survey on Severnside; and how many of these are representative of local planning authorities in South Wales.

Mr. Urwin

The Central Unit for Environmental Planning consists of civil servants drawn from various Departments but working together as a team. The unit has 15 members (four full-time), comprising administrative officials, economists, statisticians and physical planners. It has been assisted in its Severnside work by a Physical Planning Unit composed in the main of staff of various disciplines seconded from local authorities within the area of study. Out of the total of ten professional officials so seconded, three have come from South Wales.