HC Deb 06 July 1967 vol 749 cc1961-2
1. Mr. Bob Brown

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, by how many he estimates the population of the Northern Region will have increased by 1981.

The First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)

Last November's estimate gave a net increase of 345,000 over the period from 1964 to 1981; the estimates are being revised.

Mr. Brown

Are the Government planning ahead greatly to increase the job opportunity which this increased population would call for? Would my right hon. Friend not agree that it will call for a much greater degree of public enterprise than we have in the region at present?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, the Government are making endeavours to increase the opportunity of work in the Northern Region, and I shall shortly he sending the Economic Planning Council for that region a full statement of the Government's views on the various proposals it has made.

2. Mr. Bob Brown

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, when he estimates that the Government's measures will stop the drift of population from the Northern Region to the South-East.

Mr. M. Stewart

No such estimate is practicable, but the Government believe that the regional employment premium will produce in the next few years a more even spread of employment opportunities which should encourage a better regional migration balance.

Mr. Brown

While sharing the confidence of my right hon. Friend in the reguional employment premium, may I ask him whether he will not agree that if the present ruinous drift from the North-East to the South-East continues, we shall have far more than a reasonable share of aged and ageing people?

Mr. Stewart

My hon. Friend speaks of the drift to the South-East, but the South-East is no longer gaining by migration from the rest of England and Wales. Migration from the North is mostly to neighbouring areas and not to the South-East. It is the Government's intention that nobody shall require to leave this region through lack of job opportunity. There are, of course, other reasons why people may wish to move, which one would not wish to control.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Could the right hon. Gentleman say to what extent migration from the North-East, like migration from Scotland, under the present Government has been abroad and away from this country altogether?

Mr. Stewart

I think the hon. Gentleman would need to put that Question down.

Mr. Urwin

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that there are serious implications for the Northern Region because of the drift from that region, whether it is to the South-East, to the Midlands or elsewhere? Will the Government please try to give greater attention to the requirements of the Northern Region in the relief from unemployment?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, we are taking measures to that end and we shall continue to do so.