14. Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWARTasked the Minister of Labour whether anything is being done to provide new industries for the Bishop Auckland, Crook, and Shildon areas in Durham county, where the percentage of unemployed is 46.6, 33.6, and 40.2, respectively?
§ Mr. E. BROWNSouth-west Durham has the advantage of the general measures taken by the Commissioner to make the Special Areas more attractive and better known. I would also draw the attention of the hon. Member to paras. 143–147 of the Third Report of the Commissioner for Special Areas, England and Wales, which was presented to Parliament on Tuesday last.
Mr. STEWARTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the past 12 months there has been very little reduction in the percentage of unemployment in that area and no signs of new industries being introduced? What is the policy of the right hon. Gentleman to deal with that situation?
§ Mr. BROWNI cannot deal with that now. If the hon. Gentleman will give his attention to these paragraphs, he will see that the special position of southwest Durham is fully recognised by the Commissioner.
§ Mr. DALTONIt may be recognised by the Commissioner, but is it recognised by the Government?
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to paragraph 2, the position is hopeless so far as the present policy is concerned, that nothing is being done, and that the Commissioner says nothing can be done along the present lines?
§ Mr. BROWNThe hon. Member knows very well that this is one of the areas which is very hard hit because of a complete revolution in the coal export trade, and it would be misleading on the part of anybody on either side of the House to pretend that there is any quick and easy way of remedying the results of that tragic change.
§ 70. Mr. WHITELEYasked the Minister of Health whether, arising from the interview he had with representatives of the Durham County Council, he has anything to suggest whereby the difficulties in that Special Area may be minimised?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)I can add nothing to what was said on behalf of the Government in last Monday's Debate with reference to the Special Areas.
§ Mr. WHITELEYAre we to understand that as a result of that deputation there is to be absolutely no action taken on the part of the Government to give attention to the very serious matters raised at that time?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir, that is another matter altogether.