§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the Industrial Development Consultative Forum.
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§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe Industrial Development Consultative Forum was established following the review of industrial development institutions in Northern Ireland on which the Government's conclusions were announced on 1 April 1980.—[Vol. 982, c. 190.] The aim was to promote a better understanding of the industrial development programme and to provide for a regular and formal exchange of views between representatives of the Northern Ireland Economic Council and Government and their agencies on industrial development matters.
Membership of the forum consists of the Minister responsible for industrial development matters in Northern Ireland as chairman, supported by three senior officials; the chairman and chief executives of the Northern Ireland Development Agency and the Local Enterprise Development Unit; the chairman of the Industries Development Advisory Committee; and the chairman, director and six other members of the Northern Ireland Economic Council representing the three main groups in the council—employers, trade unionists and independents.
The forum has met four times to date. Matters discussed have included regular progress reports by the three industrial development institutions—the Department of Commerce, NIDA and LEDU—the draft NIDA guidelines and LEDU directive; and significant elements of industrial development policy. The next meeting of the forum is to be held on 30 June 1981.
I am satisfied that establishment of the forum has resulted in a wider understanding of the industrial development programme and that its deliberations have provided a valuable input to the formulation of future industrial development policy.