Catalogue description Department of Economic Affairs: Regional Policy (RD and 2RD Series) Files

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Details of EW 7
Reference: EW 7
Title: Department of Economic Affairs: Regional Policy (RD and 2RD Series) Files
Description:

Files relate to the policy aspect of regional development and planning (including environmental planning), regional aspects of the National Plan, the dispersal of government departments, special development areas and intermediate areas. Some files concern the activities of the regional economic planning boards and councils, and their constitution, organisation and functions. The series also contains the minutes and papers of the Committee on Intermediate Areas (Hunt Committee) and the Working Group on Regional Public Expenditure. Many files relate to specific areas.

Most pieces date from 1964 or later.
Date: 1945-1975
Arrangement:

The RD series was originated by the Board of Trade. When the regional development functions passed to the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), current RD files were re-registered in the 2RD series. This 2RD series continued to be used following the subsequent transfer of these functions to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, and later to the Department of the Environment.

The original numerical sequence of the creating body has been followed:

  • RD series: pieces 1-1098, 1328-1419, 1430-1455, 1460-1465, 1467-1474, 1476-1479, 1484-1500, 1503, 1504
  • 2RD series: pieces 1099-1327, 1420-1429, 1456-1459, 1466, 1475, 1480-1483, 1501, 1502
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department: RD file series
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Creator:

Board of Trade, Distribution of Industry and Regional Division, 1946-1965

Board of Trade, Regional Development Division, 1963-1964

Department of Economic Affairs, Regional Policy Division, 1964-1969

Department of the Environment, Economic Planning Boards, 1970-

Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Economic Planning Boards, 1969-1970
Physical description: 1505 file(s)
Access conditions: Open
Immediate source of acquisition:

From 1989 Department of the Environment
Custodial history: Original custody was with the Board of Trade, and then the Department of Economic Affairs.
Accruals: Series is accruing
Administrative / biographical background:

In 1945 The Board of Trade absorbed the Ministry of Production and inherited the responsibility for servicing its regional boards; and also in 1945 the Board acquired new functions under the Distribution of Industry Act .

The regional boards were dissolved in 1964 when their functions were taken over by new Regional Economic Planning Councils and Boards under the Department of Economic Affairs.

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