§ Mr. Urwinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions he has met the chairmen of the regional economic planning councils, and the chairmen of the planning boards since 18th June, 1970.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerWhile I myself have not yet had meetings with either the Chairman of the Economic Planning Councils or the Chairmen of the Planning Boards collectively, I have met a number of individual Council and Board Chairmen on regional visits and in London. The Minister for Local Government and Development kindly deputised for me at a meeting with the Council Chairmen last year, which I was unavoidably prevented from attending, and he had a general discussion with the Board Chairmen last November. Also, on the occasions when he has attended meetings of the Councils and upon other regional visits, the Minister has had talks with most of the Council and Board Chairmen individually.