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Responding to the Downturn and Planning the Future Economy

Yes, Nissan. It took us four years to do that, but with the help of Yorkshire Forward we recently made such an achievement in Grimethorpe. Foreign direct investment in Yorkshire and the Humber this year is at a record level, despite the global downturn. As far as I am concerned, the model for economic regeneration that we now have in Yorkshire and the Humber, through the joint regional board and the economic development group, is an effective strategic economic regeneration model. Going back to the point made by my very good hon. Friend the Member for Selby, we can improve it—we need to reduce the democratic deficit, so we need to listen to his comments closely. However, as far as I am concerned, we have one of the best-practice economic regeneration models in the country, and I say that after 29 years’ experience as a Barnsley Member. Before we conclude—I see that we have about a minute left—I want to go back to history. We are in a magnificent town hall. It was built in 1933, during probably the biggest depression the world has ever seen. That was the year when Labour councillors came to power in Barnsley, after we won power from the Liberals. The first thing that the Labour councillors said in 1933 was that they were going to build a brand new town hall. It cost £180,000, and they spent £18,000 on building our magnificent clock tower. That caused a lot of controversy at the time—the Tory councillors said it was a waste of money. Whenever Barnsley is featured on television, the clock tower is always shown. It was not a waste of money. It provided much-needed jobs in the public sector during a difficult time for the people whom we represent. If we ever get another Tory Government—obviously I hope we do not—they will need to learn the lessons of history that we learned here in Barnsley. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That the Committee has considered the matter of responding to the downturn and planning the region’s future economy.