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Planning Agreements

Volume 941: debated on Monday 12 December 1977

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asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many representations he has received from trade unions during 1977 concerning the lack of progress on planning agreements; and what subsequent action he has taken following these representations.

The subject of planning agreements has been raised on a number of occasions during the many formal and informal contacts my right hon. Friend has had with representatives of trade unions during 1977. Views expressed on such occasions are naturally taken into account when future policy is considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement showing what progress has been made during 1977 towards concluding planning agreements with the companies referred to in his answers to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr on 13th April 1976 and 10th January 1977.

A planning agreement was concluded with Chrysler UK Limited on 9th March 1977. Further planning agreement discussions with British Leyland will take place following the current review of the company plans by NEB.

Although it was necessary to place in abeyance the planning agreement discussions in the process plant sector until decisions had been reached on the report of the CPRS study of the problems of the power plant manufacturing industry, it was Government's intention to use, where appropriate, the planning agreement machinery with the companies concerned, to implement the decisions reached. So far, however, it has not been possible to reach a consensus within the industry on the implementation of the CPRS recommendations. Nevertheless, we are exploring the possibilities of reopening discussions in the industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement outlining the difference between planning agreements and planning discussions.

A planning agreement is a formal record of understandings reached between Government and a company in planning discussions. A planning agreement is made should both parties wish to proceed to this stage when the provisions of Section 21 of the Industry Act 1975 apply.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry how many staff in his Department are engaged full-time in discussions intended to lead to planning agreements; and what Civil Service grade they are.

The workload associated with planning agreement policy varies and it is not possible to state the number of staff engaged in discussions at any given time. Planning agreement contacts with companies are at Principal level and above. Within the Department's industry divisions there are about 110 staff of appropriate rank who are likely from time to time to be involved directly in planning agreement procedures with companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he expects planning agreements to form part of the industrial strategy; and, if not, why not.

The Government's position on planning agreements within the industrial strategy programme remains that stated in the White Paper "An Approach to Industrial Strategy" and the section on planning agreements in the White Paper "The Regeneration of British Industry".