§ Mr. CarringtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how he proposes to increase the effectiveness of the Government's policies for assisting rural areas.
§ Mrs. RoeOn 1 April the Development Commission merged with its main agency, the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas (COSIRA) under the title of the Rural Development Commission. The staff and activities of COSIRA have been transferred to the commission and now form its small business service. The commission will continue to be the principal instrument for carrying forward the Government's policies for diversifying rural enterprise and will now have the added advantage of being in direct contact with private firms in rural areas.