HC Deb 14 March 1983 vol 39 c19W
7. Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will indicate the circumstances which would qualify as most exceptional in order to allow adjustment of assisted area status.

Mr. Norman Lamont

Judgments about assisted area status depend on an assessment of an area's overall circumstances relative to those of other assisted areas and the country generally at the time. My right hon. Friend has made it clear that the Government do not expect to make further changes in the assisted area status during the lifetime of this Parliament.