§ 12. Mr. Douglasasked the Secretary of State for Employment what organisational association his Department has with regional economic planning boards.
§ Mr. David HowellThe Department is normally represented on each regional economic planning board by the controller of the Department's services for the area covered by the board.
§ Mr. DouglasAm I correct in assuming that the regional controller gives advice about job opportunities in the regions? If that is so, would the Minister say what advice he is giving in Scotland in view of the declining number of job opportunities and the high level of unemployment that is persisting there? Would he clearly indicate what his Department is doing at regional level to increase the number of job opportunities and to reduce the level of unemployment?
§ Mr. HowellThe hon. Gentleman was correct in his first assumption that advice is given on these matters. In regard to the question about the Scottish situation, that is a separate matter on which he may like to put down a Question. Every opportunity is made to use the Department's services to provide the best possible advice on job opportunities in every region.
§ Mr. KaufmanWill the hon. Gentleman consult the North-West Development Association about the gravely deteriorating and disturbing rate of unemployment in the North-West, which in the past year has overtaken both Yorkshire and Humberside and the South-West in the unemployment league? Will he give assurances about and examples of the efforts of the Government to encourage employment prospects in the North-West in general and in Manchester in particular?
§ Mr. HowellThe Department is well aware of the difficult employment situation 832 in that area. Every effort is made to apply all the services that the Department offers in this region, as in all others.