HC Deb 23 July 1973 vol 860 cc261-2W
29. Mr. Edward Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, following the designation of certain areas of Great Britain, including intermediate areas, as central, for purposes of regional development, it is possible for Her Majesty's Government to change the classification of an intermediate area to a development or special development area without obtaining the prior consent of the Common Market Commission.

Mr. Chataway

The Community's central area rules provide for changes in the permitted level of aid where problems have arisen in a particular area. There is no reason to believe that the Commission would dispute our decision to alter the classification of an area in which the situation had changed for the worse.