§ Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in relation to policy, outlined in Cmnd. 5226, how many interdepartmental task forces he is now setting up; in what areas they will operate; and what are their terms of reference.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantFive task forces have been set up. Three have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Wales, for Cardiff, Ebbw Vale and Shotton, and two others, for Hartlepool and the Workington area, have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The remit of the task forces is to assess the implications of a particular closure or closures for the area concerned and to make recommendations for strengthening the local economy and in particular for the provision of the new jobs that are needed. Further task forces will be appointed where the circumstances of an area justify them.