§ 42. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the proposals of the North-East Development Council to attract industry away from the Yorkshire and Humberside Region.
§ 43. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs in view of the inquiries made of the North-East Development Council since the beginning of 1968 by firms experiencing difficulty in expanding in the West Riding of Yorkshire, if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy towards the work of the North-East Development Council to encourage industrialists to expand in the North-East.
§ Mr. ShoreThe Government supports the general objectives of the Council in attracting new industry to the North-East. But it is not the Government's aim to persuade industry in the Yorkshire and Humberside region to move itself bodily to the Development Areas. I have informed the Council that in my view competition for industry between the Northern region and Yorkshire and Humberside is unlikely to serve the long-term interests of either region.
§ 44. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what communication he has had from the Chairman of the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Council regarding the attempts of the North-East Development Council to get Yorkshire firms to move to the North-East of England; and what has been his answer.
§ Mr. ShoreI am arranging for copies of a letter I have received from Sir Roger Stevens and my reply to be placed in the Library.