§ Mr. Litterickasked the Secretary of State for Industry, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak, of 23 February (Official Report, columns 320–3), if he will list the dates on which the first communication of any sort between his Department and the various companies took place with a view to concluding a planning agreement within the terms of the Industry Act.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldNo. Companies regard their relationships with Government as sensitive. Confidentiality offered in respect of planning agreement discussions is all-embracing and relates as much to their existence as to their content. To give the information required would further jeopardise the already disappointing progress on securing planning agreements. However, I remind my hon. Friend that talks have been held with a number of companies, including some of those referred to in his questions to which I replied on 23 February, covering a wide range of industries: in many cases some of the objectives underlying the planning agreement concept are being achieved.
Announcements will be made as appropriate under section 21(3) of the Industry Act 1975.