Free Zone Steering Committee

HC Deb 03 February 1986 vol 91 cc67-8W

Mr. Lambie

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the composition of the free zone steering committee; and how often it has met.

Mr. MacGregor

The committee comprises of officials from Departments concerned with the freeport experiment, under Treasury chairmanship. It has met twice to review the progress of a five-year research study of the six freeport experiments being conducted by Roger Tym and Partners, which was announced in July 1984, at column 448.

Mr. Lambie

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the free zone operators, or their association, have been invited to participate in the free zone steering committee.

Mr. MacGregor

The Government Departments represented on the committee have responded to views put forward by the operators and their representatives on a number of occasions, and are willing to consider any further approaches that are made. It would not be appropriate for the operators or their associations to participate in the deliberations of the committee.