§ Q6. Miss Vickersasked the Prime Minister if he is aware that there has been a permanent difficulty in regard to employment in Plymouth and the southwest of England for a number of years; and if he will give an assurance that the Government, in their efforts to reduce unemployment in the North-East and other parts of the United Kingdom, will not overlook the necessity of finding further employment for people living in the South-West.
§ The Prime MinisterUnemployment in the South-West Region as a whole has been slightly below the national average. But there are some areas within the region where unemployment is high and which are listed as development districts under the Local Employment Act. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will continue his efforts to encourage industrial development there. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that there should be no problem of persistent unemployment in Plymouth.
§ Miss VickersMay I ask my right hon. Friend to remember that not only Jarrow but Plymouth had a hunger march in the 'thirties, and that there is a chronic disease of unemployment in the West Country? Will he also remember that the payment of industry there is very low, and will be promise to keep an eye on the situation?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. In 1962 the annual average rate in the region was 1.8 per cent., and I think that in Plymouth there are four new factories 239 which have been there some little time, and others are coming, and I think that the dockyard is likely to give a continuously high level of employment.