§ Mr. Merlyn Reesasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the regional areas of his Department differ from the areas of the regional economic planning boards; and what plans he has for correcting any discrepancies.
§ Mr. DarlingIn all areas where regional economic planning boards have so far been established Board of Trade regional boundaries now coincide, except in two particulars, with those of the planning regions.
The exceptions are:
(i) The Board of Trade Midland Region contains both the East and West Midland Planning Regions.
63W(ii) The Municipal Borough of Poole, Dorset, which is in the area of the South-Western Planning Board, remains part of the Board of Trade London and South-Eastern Region.
Changes in Board of Trade regional boundaries were made on 1st April, to bring them into line with planning regions apart from these two exceptions. I have no present plans for further amendments.