PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 380
24 November 1974
INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION
The Prime Minister today released an exchange of
correspondence with the Industries Assistance Commission.
" I have asked the Industries Assistance Commission
to provide to the Government the fullest information about
the social and locational implications of its recommendations.
The Chairman of the Commission intends re-examining reports
as yet undecided by the Government to identify any
supplementary recommendations which might be appropriate in
the current state of the economic cycle" said Mr Whitlam.
" I have also told the Chairman of my wish that more
attention be directed towards a general approach set out
in the Commission's Annual Report for 1973-74, which would
have the effect of avoiding a significant scaling down of
some high cc~ st activities where change would present
intractable social problems."
" The Commission has been asked to take into account
in its recommendations that the Government's structural
adjustment measures and non-metropolitan subsidy scheme
are not designed to meet all the problems, whatever the
stage of the business cycle, which might arise from a
structural change seen as in the national interest by the
Commission." The Prime Minister concluded by saying that the
system of public inquiry and public advice into assistance
measures and the ability of th e Government to use the results
for the national good would be enhanced by these moves.
CANBERRA. A. C. T.