§ 44. Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Technology if he will make a statement on his policy in relation to pit closures and on the administrative changes which have been made in the process of decision taking.
§ Mr. BennPolicy on pit closures remains unchanged. My reply of 22nd October to my hon. Friend the Member for Merioneth (Mr. William Edwards) sets out the administrative arrangements within the Department. There is no change in the responsibilities of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Wales. But in England those aspects of regional planning, including the Regional Economic Planning Councils, which were not transferred to this Department are now the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning.—[Vol. 788, c. 283–4.]