§ Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Industry why he has requested the Staffordshire County Council's Development Association to desist from encouraging Common Market businesses to invest in North Staffordshire.
Mr. Alan WilliamsAt a time when all public spending must be scrutinised for effectiveness we were bound to give the council our opinion based on extensive experience of encouraging inward investment. The work of attracting investment can be expensive when carried out overseas and it takes a long time before results are achieved. In addition we have found that foreign industry approached to invest in Britain is normally concerned with issues and opportunities in Britain as a whole. Fragmented appeals from various parts of the country can often be confusing and counter-productive.