§ Mr. Merlyn Reesasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will now make a statement on arrangements for economic research on regional problems.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe National Institute for Economic and Social Research has been commissioned to carry out a three-year project with the following terms of reference
To build up a theoretical and empirical framework for the analysis of regional economic development and the consideration of regional policy in the U.K., especially in relation to problems of national economic development.Professor A. J. Brown, at present Professor of Economics at Leeds University, has agreed to direct such a project from the late summer or early autumn of 1966. He will be free to devote some time to the project from February, 1966.
98WI have also recently discussed the priorities for regional research with representatives of regional planning councils, who are now considering which projects they would regard as the most urgent. The Department are also prepared to consider proposals for projects on regional economic matters from those working in the field.