§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish details of the scheme he is proposing to launch to encourage private industry and commerce in local initiatives in co-operation with local authorities ; in what way and in what areas of local government activity he envisages this cooperation taking place ; if he will list the 30 or 40 towns and cities he is selecting for the experiment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeseltineI shall be having discussions with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Association of British Chambers of Commerce (ABCC) and leading chambers of commerce about the scope for local initiatives to bring local industry and commerce into closer collaboration with local authorities. The next stage will include discussions in various localities with leading local employers, local authorities, and other interests, but these ideas are not yet sufficiently advanced to give the detailed answers which the hon. Member requests.