§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Industry with what sectors of industry he is primarily concerned in his efforts to obtain planning agreements.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe aim is to introduce planning agreements initially into sectors of particular importance to the economy, beginning with companies in sectors which lie at the heart of our export effort.
§ Mr. Edgeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what topics were discussed during his consultations with the CBI and the TUC on the arrangements for planning agreements.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe discussions provided for exchanges of views about the Government's policy and about the practical aspects of implementing planning agreements.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Industry why no planning agreements have yet been concluded; and when he expects the first one to be negotiated.
§ Mr. KaufmanThe Department has been pursuing its consultations with both sides of industry, including the CBI and ABCC and the TUC, about the arrangements for planning agreements. In addition it is conducting exploratory discussions with a number of companies, but these have not reached a stage at which I am in a position to make a statement.