asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to safeguard Great Britain's development area policies following discussions in the European Economic Community about economic and monetary union.

The proposals for closer economic and monetary harmonisation, which are expected to be taken by the Council of Ministers shortly, will not affect the Government's freedom to take such measures as we ourselves think necessary in the interests of our own regions.We regard our development area policies as a matter of vital importance to us and we shall have every opportunity to make the Community aware of the problems of these areas.