§ 8. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what has been the total of new jobs in Dorset, since the formation of his Department; and what further increases are planned in the future.
§ Mr. UrwinEmployment in Dorset increased by just over 4,000 jobs between 1964 and 1967—the latest year for which figures are available.
There are some 2,000 known manufacturing jobs in prospect in Dorset which are expected to arise within the next four years, but these form only part of the jobs likely to arise.
§ Mr. DigbyIs not that a very disappointing answer? Does it not seem to bear out the opinion in Dorset that our problems are of far too little concern to the Minister's Department?
§ Mr. UrwinThe problems of Dorset are not of little concern to my Department. I recently had discussions with Dorset County Council covering many of the problems Dorset has, not only in employment. The hon. Gentleman will be as pleased as I am to know that the unemployment level in Dorset in September was 2.4 per cent., exactly identifiable with the national average, as compared with 4.1 per cent. in development areas and much greater poverty in these other parts of the country.