HC Deb 18 January 1971 vol 809 c494
8. Dr. John A. Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to secure new industrial development in West Cumberland, south of Lillyhall, in the Borough of Whitehaven and the rural district of Ennerdale and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Whitehaven Municipal Borough and Ennerdale Rural District are situated in Special Development Areas which will benefit from the measures announced on 27th October. The Department will continue to do everything possible to persuade industry of the advantages of locating there.

Dr. Cunningham

Does not the Minister agree that that rather nefarious reply will be wholly unacceptable to the people in West Cumberland who are unemployed? Will he take steps to publish statistics at sub-regional level showing the effect of previous policies in the development areas, before there are any other changes in such policies, because until statistics of that kind are available, how can the Minister possibly argue that the kind of coverage that we had earlier was not effective?

Mr. Grant

I hardly think it was nefarious to say: The Department will continue to do everything possible to persuade industry of the advantages of locating there. There are a number of advance factories and properties still available, and we shall do everything that we can to draw them to the attention of industry. I should have thought that that was extremely helpful.