§ 2. Mr. Boydenasked the President of the Board of Trade if, owing to the lack of new industrial development in sight in the Barnard Castle area and the high level of unemployment, he will schedule as development districts the areas of the Barnard Castle Urban and Rural District Councils.
§ Mr. ErrollNo, Sir. I am glad to say that the rate of unemployment in the Barnard Castle group of employment exchange areas was only 2.2 per cent. at the June count. But since I am not aware of any new industrial projects in prospect in the area I shall continue to keep a close watch on the position.
§ Mr. BoydenWill the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this? Is he aware that at the height of the winter 25 per cent. of the males in Middleton-in-Teesdale were unemployed? How can he justify the artificial division between one part of my constituency and another when the economic facts of life of the constituency are precisely the same all over?
§ Mr. ErrollI am sure the hon. Gentleman will notice that during the Question Time period I shall be pressed by a number of hon. Members to increase facilities in their own localities where the position Is much worse. Obviously, if I were to increase the number of development districts I should not be able to help those in most need.