HC Deb 11 November 1974 vol 881 cc7-8W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement outlining the responsibilities allocated to the Ministers in his Department.

Mr. Benn

I take responsibility for central policy questions and for the coordination of the work of my Department.

The Minister of State, the right hon. Lord Beswick, and the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher), take responsibility for specific industries.

1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74
£ £ £ £ £
Expenditure 730,724 781,368 1,030,457 1,088,557 1,409,849
Receipts 306,472 327,933 472,317 501,794 635,199

Separate figures in respect of England and Wales are not available. The Design Council's office in Wales was opened in March 1974.

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how much money was spent by the Scottish Committee of the

1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74
£ £ £ £ £
Expenditure 131,699 124,354 129,657 148,772 168,691
Receipts 32,710 27,198 38,400 44,128 61,904

Mr. Wigley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many full-time industrial design officers are currently employed by the Scottish Committee of the Council of Industrial Design.

The Minister of State, the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Hefler) takes responsibility for the new Industry Bill, regional industrial policy and small firms. The Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Mackenzie) works with him and in addition exercises special responsibilities in connection with the Post Office.