HC Deb 03 February 1972 vol 830 cc199-200W
Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in the regional study of the North-West.

Mr. Graham Page

The work of the joint strategic planning team for the North-West is up to schedule. As required of them, the team sent to the commissioning authorities before the end of 1971 a report setting out general objectives and intended methods of work. On 28th January the Commissioning Body representative of the North-West Economic Planning Council, the local planning authorities of the region and the Government Departments, meeting in Man- chester under my chairmanship, received this report and authorised work in accordance with it. Consultation with authorities and representative bodies in the region, already a vital element of the team's work, will continue to be important. The final report is due in summer 1973.