§ 4. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the present level of unemployment in the Okehampton area of Devon.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithOn 8th June, 159 people were registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Okehampton Employment Exchange and the percentage rate of unemployment was 4.2.
§ Mr. MillsDoes my hon. Friend realise the impossible position many small towns are in when they are just outside a development area? The have suffered considerably under a Socialist Government. Let us hope that under my hon. Friend's direction they will not suffer under a Conservative Government.
§ Mr. SmithI know my hon. Friend's genuine concern for his constituents of that area. There has been a great deal of dispute over the past month whether the area should be included in the development area or should become an intermediate area. That is a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology, and I hope that my hon. Friend will address a question to him about it.