§ 24. Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now designate the West Midlands as an intermediate area under the Local Employment Act 1969.
§ Sir J. EdenNo, Sir.
§ Mr. GoldingIs the hon. Gentleman aware that not only is unemployment in the West Midlands now higher than the average for the rest of the country, but that it is rising more rapidly? Even more important, is he aware that mechanisation and automation presents the West Midlands with very severe long-term problems of unemployment?
§ Sir J. EdenI think that the September, 1971, unemployment figures for the West Midlands are swollen considerably by the effect of two major industrial disputes. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman recognises that. Normally the level of unemployment in the area is below the national average, and much below that of a designated area.
§ Mr. StonehouseIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in parts of the Black Country unemployment is worse than at any time since before the last war? Apart from a short-lived boom in consumer trades due to hire-purchase relaxations the basic engineering trades are in an extremely severe position. What does the hon. Gentleman intend to do to stimulate development in that direction?
§ Sir J. EdenI do not see the stimulus given to the consumer durable sector as short-lived. It will eventually benefit industries further down the line, giving stimulus to engineering industries. We shall see this stimulus moving through the economy more rapidly in the coming months.