HC Deb 04 May 1967 vol 746 cc722-3
28. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action he is taking to improve the information available regionally on the present and potential demand for trained technical and technological staff.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Economic Affairs (Mr. Peter Shore)

Regional boards and councils are being provided with analyses of the 1961 census of population data covering scientific and technological manpower. Similar analyses of the 1966 sample census data will be produced.

Mr. Blenkinsop

There is hardly any regional information available, not even information as to what firms in the region have posts available. Will my hon. Friend consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology to try to get something done in this matter?

Mr. Shore

We are aware of deficiencies in the statistics regarding the regions, and we are in close contact with the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Technology, doing our best to rectify this deficiency as soon as possible.

29. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether his studies in manpower budgeting include provision for the expansion of opportunities for trained technical and technological staff in development areas such as those in the northern region.

Mr. Shore

Manpower budgeting studies relate to the likely supply and demand in all types of occupation. They take account of the regional pattern including the implications of the Government's policy of fostering the expansion of all types of employment in development areas.

Mr. Blenkinsop

That does not fully answer my Question. Is my hon. Friend budgeting for an increase in this type of employment in the northern region? Is he aware that, for example, very few facilities are made available in the region even by new firms, because most of the design and development work is being done outside the region?

Mr. Shore

Our first concern is to get employment of all kinds into the development areas, and this we are doing with all the instruments available to us under our development area policies. But we are trying, and will continue to try very hard, to get the balance of employment right as between the capital-intensive and labour-intensive industries in these regions.

Dame Irene Ward

The time for trying has gone. Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that it is time for action, and it is action we want in the North-East, not constant smooth words which mean very little?

Mr. Shore

The Government can claim some success in their regional and development area policies. In addition, as the House knows, further measures are being considered and are being discussed generally in the country.