§ 27. Mr. Alisonasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what steps she proposes to take to reduce unemployment in South Yorkshire.
§ Mr. FernyhoughMy local officers are continuing their efforts to help those unemployed to find suitable work, including the offer of opportunities for training where appropriate. The Hunt Committee is studying the problems of places outside the development areas where the rate of economic growth gives cause for concern. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs expects to receive their report shortly and it will be published as soon as possible.
§ Mr. AlisonDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that there are now more individual men and women out of work in the Yorkshire and Humberside region than in any other development region except Scotland and that there are many more men unemployed in the Yorkshire coal field than in the whole of the Southwest development area? Will he now anticipate the report of the Hunt Committee and take action while the winter is still with us?
§ Mr. FernyhoughThe hon. Gentleman has very cleverly quoted a big geographical area containing a substantial number of people aid has compared it with a geographical area with a small number of people. The percentage figure is only slightly above the national average, 26 although I accept that it is not satisfactory. However, it has to be accepted that in many development areas there are places where unemployment is three or tour times higher than it is in the Humberside area generally.
§ Mr. HooleyWill my hon. Friend undertake to consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Power to see whether, by diversifying the activities of the National Coal Board and the British Steel Corporation, new opportunities for jobs can be created in this area?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI will bring what my hon. Friend has said to my right hon. Friend's attention, but my hon. Friend could more appropriately put down Questions to the Minister concerned.