§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Industry if, in the absence of 363W voluntary planning agreements, he will make a further statement of his policy towards the introduction of compulsory planning agreements.
Mr. Alan WilliamsThe Government have consistently made clear their preference for a voluntary system of planning agreements. However, the Secretary of State has made clear on a number of occasions that he is dissatisfied with the progress on planning agreements so far, and I hope that industry will realise the benefits to their investment and technology that may be achieved through the planning agreement system.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on progress made in concluding planning agreements with Head Wrightson, Clarke Chapman, Babcock and Wilcox, Whessoe, GEC, Reyrolle Parson, British Leyland and Chrysler (United Kingdom).
Mr. Alan WilliamsOf the first six companies named, four are primarily concerned with the manufacture of power generating equipment and the other two also have interests in this area. Further planning agreement discussions with these companies await the outcome of the urgent consideration the Government is giving to the report by the CPRS on the problems of the industry. Discussions with British
1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 £ million at historic prices … … … … 37.1 60.5 81.9 £ per head of employed population … … … … 13.8 22.3 30.4 These figures do not include expenditure on schemes and expenditure under Section 8 of the 1972 Industry Act, which are not confined to the assisted areas and for which records are not kept on a regional basis. No separate breakdown is available for expenditure in Merseyside, Kirkby or Ormskirk.