§ Mr. G. Johnson Smithasked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will instruct the regional planning boards that their associated councils are to inquire of county, urban, rural, and parish councils about local plans before advice is given to the Transport or other Ministries on matters which concern the inhabitants of the area administered by the local authority; and what are the precise terms of reference of the South East Economic Planning Council.
§ Mr. ShoreNo.
The terms of reference of the South East Economic Planning Council are the same as for other Economic Planning Councils, namely:
(i) To assist in the formulation of a regional plan having regard to the best use of the region's resources.(ii) To advise on the steps necessary for implementing the regional plan on the basis of information and assessments provided by the Economic Planning Board.(iii) To advise on the regional implications of national economic policies.These terms of reference make it clear that the Councils are concerned with the broad regional planning implications of the matters in which they are consulted rather than the local planning aspects.