asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement on the study now taking place on the general question of regional policy; and to what extent he expects action to encourage additional employment in existing premises and in non-manufacturing industry in the North-East development area.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to a supplementary question by my hon. Friend the Member for St. Marylebone (Mr. Kenneth Baker) on 7th February.—[Vol. 830, c. 971–2.]