§ 11. Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for Employment what action he proposes to take to stabilise employment opportunities in the inner London area.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI would expect the extensive reflationary measures taken by the Government to increase employment opportunities generally. The London area, which has an unemployment rate of less than half the national rate, is particularly well placed to benefit from these measures.
§ Mr. CoxIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that that kind of reply will be regarded by many thousands of workers in inner London as utter complacency? We have continued to lose thousands of jobs in recent years. In Wandsworth we have lost nearly 5,000 jobs in the last five years. Few, if any, have been replaced by jobs in other industries. What is being done to stabilise and encourage job opportunities in inner London? For example, are industrial development certificates applicable to London? If not, why not? This is a very serious problem.
§ Mr. SmithThe hon. Gentleman can be assured that there is no complacency on our part as regards London or any other part of the country. Overall the situation in London is much better than in the rest of the country, although I admit that manufacturing employment in London is declining. However, opportunities in the service industries are increasing. Some workers are moving out of London. Industrial development certificates are not now required in the South East up to 10,000 sq. ft. Therefore, this should also be an encouragement. If the hon. Gentleman is patient he will find that the situation in London will go on improving, as it has been improving.