§ 35. Mr. James Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now give North Humberside full development area status.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantNo, Sir. North Humberside was designated an intermediate area only last March, and it is too early for the incentives to industrial development to have made their full impact.
§ Mr. JohnsonHas the hon. Gentleman forgotten the massive case put up by the civic deputation from Hull way back in August to the Parliamentary Secretary to the then Ministry of Technology on empty office blocks and worsening unemployment figures, which are worse than those for Liverpool, which is a special development area? If he cannot do anything for us, would he say something at some time about what the Government intend to do for areas of intermediate status, about which they have said nothing?
§ Mr. GrantThe hon. Gentleman can rest assured that we take notice of all representations made, but he will appreciate that we have to consider the whole country. The hon. Gentleman mentioned unemployment. I know that unemployment is a problem in his area, but it is also a problem in other parts of the country, most notably Tyneside, to which reference has been made today. I must look at the whole country. It is too early to give any decision.