§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give consideration to a six-year national plan, in connection with the Industry Act, outlined in the recent Hudson Report, a copy of which is in his possession.
§ Mr. HefferThe Government have recognised the need to strengthen industrial planning arrangements, and to this end have proposed a system of planning agreements. These will be negotiated with major companies and will involve both management and workforce. Since the Government are concerned to engage in a closer, clearer and more direct relationship with industry, rather than relying, as in the past, on a regulatory framework alone, it is their view that a selective approach of this kind is more applicable to the present situation than a six-year national plan as outlined in the recent Hudson Report.