§ 26. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Technology how many new jobs are expected to be provided in the Bishop Auckland travel-to-work area in the next 12 months.
§ Mr. VarleyA total of 4,650 jobs, of which 3,620 are for males, are expected to arise within the next four years in the Bishop Auckland travel-to-work area in new industrial buildings for which industrial development certificates have been issued and in existing buildings taken over by manufacturing firms. I regret it is not known how many will become available during the next 12 months.
§ Mr. BoydenCan my hon. Friend say how the rate that he has given compares with estimates of the current year and the year before?
§ Mr. VarleyNot without notice, but I can tell my hon. Friend that good progress is being made in South-East Durham, and we hope that that progress, will continue.
§ Dame Irene WardIn view of the really unsatisfactory position about new jobs on the North-East Coast—and I propose to give the figures if I catch the eye of the Chair during the next debate —would it not be better if the Minister were to get down to saying what the position is now? A lot of people will be dead in four years' time if we do not get on with getting more jobs into the North-East Coast area.
§ Mr. VarleyA great deal of progress has been made in the northern region, and I look forward to listening to the hon. Lady's speech in the debate to follow.