HC Deb 04 December 1969 vol 792 cc1683-4
14. Mr. Hiley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will list the total number in employment in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region at the latest available date and the equivalent date in 1966.

Mr. Dell

The estimated numbers of employees in employment in the Yorkshire and Humberside region at March, 1969, and March, 1966, were 1,986,000 and 2,092,000, respectively. The figure for March, 1969, is provisional.

Mr. Hiley

When the Minister examines this unfortunate trend, will he consider the possibility that the over-generous treatment of the development areas has adversely affected those who are outside those areas and that we are not securing any new real jobs, but merely transferring unemployment from development to other areas?

Mr. Dell

I do not believe that that is the case. In any event, the hon. Gentleman will know that the Yorkshire coalfields and North Humberside have now been made an intermediate area. There are many factors affecting the level of employment relative to March, 1966. These factors include such things as the point in the cycle which we had reached in March, 1966, an increase in the number of people self-employed, and an increase in the number of people staying at school. All these are factors in the situation.

Mr. Tinn

On the contrary, will my hon. Friend bear in mind that in development areas the unemployment rates are running at two, three and even more times the rate for Yorkshire and Humberside and that there is no justification for the allegation of over-generosity to these areas?

Mr. Dell

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. That is why we are continuing to give substantial assistance to the development areas.

Mr. R. Carr

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this is the second area in three Questions of which he has had to admit that the number of jobs is more than 100,000 fewer than three years ago?

Mr. Dell

Yes. I have also given the right hon. Gentleman an explanation of these facts. I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman will have studied, for example, the March, 1969, edition of the D.E.P. Gazette showing forecast levels of employment which go way ahead. He will find that even at high levels of demand it is expected that they will remain very stable for as far ahead as 1980 owing to various demographic factors of which the right hon. Gentleman must be aware.