§ 15. Mr. Jegerasked the President of of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the high rate of unemployment in Thorne; and on how many occasions during the past three months he has drawn industrialists' attention to Thorne and its advantages as an industrial site.
§ Mr. D. PriceMy right hon. Friend is aware that unemployment in Thorne remains high. No firms new to Thorne have had their attention drawn to the area in the past three months; but an I.D.C. for an extension has been issued during this period to a firm which has settled there within the last few years.
§ Mr. JegerIs not the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to do more than that? Is he not aware that when the national unemployment figure stood at about 3 per cent., it was more than 10 per cent. in Thorne and that at that time he was advising the unemployed of Thorne to seek work in Doncaster, 10 miles away? Is he not aware that since that time Ford's works in Doncaster has given notice that it is to close down? Will he do something really active in Thorne to provide work for the people there who are anxious to contribute to Productivity Year?
§ Mr. PriceI agree that in considering Thorne's problem one must look very closely at the future for Doncaster, but the hon. Member will know that there are a number of uncertainties in Doncaster which are by no means resolved. When the picture is a little clearer, we will have this very much in mind.