§ Sir David MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what are the statutory duties of(a) Hampshire county council and (b) his Department and its 216W regional offices in relation to the development of commercial and industrial links with the lower Normandy area of the EEC;
(2) what are the statutory duties of (a) Hampshire county council and (b) his Department for the provision of services to assist the location of industry and commerce in Hampshire.
§ Mr. RidleyThe Hampshire county council has no statutory duties to develop commercial and industrial links with lower Normandy or to provide services to assist the location of industry and commerce in Hampshire.
My Department has a number of powers (but no statutory duties) to achieve these ends, but is making limited use of them at present.