§ Q13. Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to his statement on 21st November 1968 [Official Report, Vol. 773, c. 1546–7], he will now consider including in the explanatory memoranda on Government Bills estimates of the effect of those Bills on regional development in the United Kingdom; and whether he will also require Ministers to publish simultaneously with any policy announcement similar estimates of the effects of their proposed policies on regional development.
§ The Prime MinisterI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his suggestion about the explanatory memoranda to Government Bills, which will be taken into account in our consideration of the recommendations of the Renton Committee on Preparation of Legislation (Cmnd. 6053). On the second part of my hon. Friend's Question, Ministers are aware of the need to make clear, wherever appropriate, the implications of their policies for regional development.