§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for Industry what studies are being carried out for or financed by his Department into strategic economic planning in European countries; what work is being carried out for his Department by Mr. Aubrey Jones; and whether he will make a statement.
Mr. Alan WilliamsMy Department is financing a number of independent academic studies of economic matters, and three of these relate to strategic economic planning in European countries.
One of these studies is being undertaken by the Society for Long Range Planning, for which Mr. Aubrey Jones is the designated researcher. Mr. Jones is not carrying out any work directly for the Department. The study will examine the 466W inter-relationship between company planning activities and the development of Government policies which impinge upon them. It will compare the relationships and attitudes which exist in the main European countries, and the reasons for such attitudes. In line with the industrial strategy, particular attention is being given to manufacturing industry. The study was commissioned in 1978.