HC Deb 29 January 1963 vol 670 cc755-6
Q3. Mr. Milne

asked the Prime Minister what new policy Her Majesty's Government propose for curing unemployment in the North-East during 1963; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 24th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Speir) and other hon. Members on this subject.

Mr. Milne

Is the Prime Minister aware that that Answer does not go far enough and that what the North-East is looking for is some positive policies in order to attack a problem that has been growing over the years and that dealing with it in another place or even in another continent is insufficient at this stage?

The Prime Minister

I answered the Question which was tabled. I may add that I think that the undertaking of this assignment by my noble Friend has been widely welcomed and. I feel sure, will be of value.

Sir C. Osborne

Since we have to sell one-third of our manufactures abroad, is not the only cure for unemployment to get our export prices down so that the 5 million men who make those exports shall have jobs?

The Prime Minister

Of course, the whole economy of the country, as is well known, depends on the success of its exports.

Mr. Jay

As the Government have now very belatedly scheduled the whole of Merseyside as a development district, why do they still refuse to schedule the North-East coast?

The Prime Minister

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, Merseyside was scheduled and then such progress was made with the new industries brought there that it was thought right to deschedule it. Now it has been put back into the position of being able to draw benefit, under certain conditions, under the Local Employment Act. We hope to deal with the North-East Coast as a whole, and when my noble Friend has made his recommendations we shall consider them.

Mr. Jay

The Prime Minister has not answered the question. If he thinks it right to schedule Merseyside, why does not he also schedule the whole North-East coast where unemployment is just as high?

The Prime Minister

I understand that at present certain places on the North-East coast are scheduled. The question will arise whether the schedule should be widened, but what we are trying to do now is to deal with the area as a whole.