§ 40. Mr. Bottomleyasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken in consultation with other Departments to secure the placing of Government contracts in the Tees-side area, in view of the high level of unemployment there.
§ Mr. D. PriceThe contract preference schemes, operated by the Government Purchasing Departments, are available 30 only to firms in the development districts. As the Tees-side area is not one of those, firms there cannot benefit from them.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the unemployment figure in the area is higher than in some of the development districts? For this reason, could not it receive special consideration?
§ Mr. PriceI can assure the right hon. Member that I am acutely aware of that point. It is being given active consideration.
§ Dr. BrayCannot the Parliamentary Secretary say whether he is taking steps to schedule Tees-side as a development district?
§ Mr. PriceThe hon. Gentleman knows that it would be most improper to make any general indication of the thoughts of my right hon. Friend and myself in advance of any announcement.
§ Sir C. OsborneSince 5 million jobs depend, directly or indirectly, on our exports, and since no Government can compel the foreigner to buy our exports, will not my hon. Friend be honest with both sides of the House and say that no Government can guarantee full employment in every part of the country?
§ Mr. PriceThere is great wisdom in what my hon. Friend says. Nevertheless, within the general context of our hopes regarding exports, it is the intention of the Government to ensure, so far as it is possible, that employment is spread evenly throughout the country.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanI wish to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the hon. Gentleman's reply, I shall raise the matter again at an early opportunity.