§ Mr. Thorpeasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what was the extent of the grant made by his Department towards the cost of the survey recently carried out in the South-West; whether he is aware that distribution of the survey report has been severely restricted; whether this restriction was made at his request or with his prior knowledge; and what action he proposes to take to see that copies of the report are available if necessary at an economic price for those wishing to study its contents.
Mr. RodgersThe Government made a grant of £8,750, representing half the cost of the survey which was commissioned by the Joint Committee for the Economy of the South-West. An additional £750, representing half the cost of printing the report, has since been authorised.
I am aware that the first print proved insufficient to allow a wholesale distribu? 274W tion, but I understand that the Joint Committee, with whom the decision on publication and distribution lies, are considering reprinting the report, which will then be available for purchase at an economic price.