§ 62. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to improve the employment situation in the Dearne Valley constituency area.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Anthony Grant)The Dearne Valley is already an intermediate area. The Department will continue to bring to the notice of suitable firms the advantages of locating there.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the hon. Gentleman realise that up to now the Government's promises have not brought any more jobs to the Dearne Valley area, and that unemployment there has been rising and is now almost 8 per cent? When will they do something about bringing jobs to this area?
§ Mr. GrantI accept that unemployment has been rising in the Dearne Valley, as it has elsewhere. As for what the Government are doing about it, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made in the House by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.