asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if he has formulated any new proposals or policy on regional development to date and, if not, why; and if he will make a full statement on the Government's policy on this matter.

The Government are committed to an active regional policy which will ensure an equitable distribution of development amongst the regions and which will help each region to develop its potential and contribute towards national development objectives.

With the preliminary results of the 1979 census of population now available, the review of the 1972 Government statement on regional policy is well advanced. I shall be presenting this review to the Government in due course.