§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has any plans for reviewing regional aid budgets; and whether he will take steps to introduce a development agency for the North of England.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 12 December 1985, c. 716]I have no plans to review the regional aid budget in respect of England. Nor do I propose to introduce a development agency for the North of England. Such an agency would only impose a further layer of bureaucracy in the region. The region already has various bodies involved in promotional and inward investment activities including the North of England development council. INWARD and the Yorkshire and Humberside development association all of which are in receipt of Government funds.