HC Deb 14 March 1983 vol 39 c46W
Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used in determining rural development areas; and when the first areas to be designated will be named.

Mr. Macfarlane

In selecting rural development areas the Development Commission will have regard to the following criteria:

  1. (1) Unemployment is above the average for Great Britain, account being taken of changes in recent years.
  2. (2) There is an inadequate or unsatisfactory range of employment opportunities.
  3. (3) Population decline or sparsity of population is having an adverse effect.
  4. (4) There is a net outward migration of people of working age.
  5. (5) The age structure of the population is heavily biased towards elderly people.
  6. (6) Access to services and facilities is poor.

It will not be necessary for all the criteria to be satisfied but it is envisaged that most development areas will meet the first criterion and one or more of the remainder. However, they may also be selected where a combination of any of the criteria indicates a concentration of problems.

All rural development areas will be designated at the same time. The timing of the announcement is dependent on the availability of certain 1981 census data but the Commission hope to be able to name the areas by Spring 1984.