§ 27. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a study of the possibility of revising existing regional policies by providing mini-development areas within regions to meet the problems of pockets with particular industrial and employment problems; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heffer:We are aware that some small areas including the inner cities 55W have particular problems and the Government have in hand a number of studies. Nevertheless, experience has shown that general regional incentives work best if the areas in which they are available are broadly defined and stable. However, the Industry Bill will greatly increase the Government's ability to give selective help to places with industrial and employment problems wherever they may be located.