HC Deb 04 November 1974 vol 880 c34W
Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will give a general direction to the chairman of each of the nationalised industries that their industries should give priority to using the services or products of other nationalised industries, or, alternatively, consider making statutory provision to that end in future Acts governing the operations of those industries.

Mr. Benn

For the industries for which I have responsibilities these are complex operational questions for the boards themselves to decide.

Mr. Anderson

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give a general directive where appropriate to nationalised industries to move headquarters out of London and into development areas like Wales.

Mr. Benn

The nationalised industries for which I have responsibilities are aware of the Government's regional policies and provide substantial employment in the development areas. In recent years there has been significant dispersal of headquarters work from London and this is continuing. I shall certainly encourage it.

Forward to