Regional Plans (Hansard, 19 January 1972)

§ Mr. Graham Page

It is the Government's intention that future regional strategies should be prepared on a tripartite basis in collaboration between the regional economic planning councils, the local planning authorities, and central Government. Ultimately, it is hoped to cover all the English regions in this way, but detailed arrangements and timing will vary from region to region. The present position in each region is as followsSouth-East: Strategy approved in principle by Government in October, 1971. My Department has already begun work on monitoring in association with the Planning Council and Standing Conference. North-West: Tripartite planning team at work; strategy expected mid-1973. Northern: Joint preparatory study group preparing specification for regional strategy. Main study team expected to commence work by the middle of this year and to complete strategy in 1974. West Midlands: A proposed strategy commissioned by the West Midlands Planning Authorities' Conference was published for comment in September, 1971. The Conference intends to submit its proposals to the Government after review in the light of consultations with individual local authorities, the Planning Council and other interested bodies. Yorkshire and Humberside: A strategy to 1981 prepared by the Planning Council was generally endorsed by the Government in July 1971. Further area studies are being carried out jointly with the local authorities leading ultimately to a longer-term tripartite strategy. East Anglia: Tripartite planning team recently set up: strategy expected late 1973. South-West: The Planning Council is working on a revised strategy and will be consulting the local planning authorities later this year when this has reached the draft stage. East Midlands: Following its earlier studies, the Planning Council are now discussing with 182W the local authorities concerned the setting up of joint studies to examine individual sub-regions in greater depth.