§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Industry when he expects to be able to respond to the initiatives of local hon. Members, local government and industry to his re-consideration of removal of development status from Bolton.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[pursuant to the reply, 11 February 1982]: Representations that Bolton should retain intermediate area status were put to me by a deputation from Bolton in October last year. With the agreement of the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mrs. Taylor), who led the deputation, I deferred my decision until I had considered representations from the Greater Manchester Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the North West Industrial Development Association which had a bearing on Bolton's case. I have now received the latter representations and I wish to give further consideration to those made by the deputation from Bolton.