§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to make Merseyside a special development area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI have been asked to reply.
The category of special development area was abolished as a result of the major review of regional industrial policy which culminated in the statement in the House by my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Thames (Mr. Lamont), the then Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry, on 28 November 1984. I have no plans to reintroduce it. But Merseyside will continue to enjoy maximum benefits available under its present status of a development area.