§ 9 and 12. Mr. A. Robertsasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what steps he proposes to take to encourage new industries into the West Riding of Yorkshire;
§ (2) what steps he proposes to take to dissuade industry from leaving the West Riding of Yorkshire.
§ Mr. D. PriceMy right hon. Friend does not consider that any special steps are necessary in the West Riding of 6 Yorkshire, to dissuade industry from leaving or to encourage new industries into the area.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor made a promise concerning industry in the West Riding and that it is only right that the Board of Trade should honour it? Is he further aware that where industries, particularly mines, are becoming exhausted, something should be done to bring new industries to the area instead of taking panic measures? Due consideration should be given to old, traditional industries that are dying out in the West Riding.
§ Mr. PriceAs the House knows, in scheduling places as development districts we are required by the Act to take into consideration high and persistent unemployment. I am glad to tell the House that in the West Riding in the first three months of this year the wholly unemployed figure has been only 2 per cent. of the total registered working population, and therefore it is only right, in fairness to areas that have serious problems, that we should not consider scheduling it as a development district.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are pockets of unemployment as high as 10 per cent. inside the West Riding? Does not he agree that it is wrong to take the figures for a very large area?
§ Mr. PriceThe hon. Gentleman asked me a question about the West Riding as a whole. He cannot, therefore, complain if I answer with figures covering the West Riding as a whole.