Manchester

HC Deb 17 July 1972 vol 841 cc14-5

12. Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inquiries from industrialists with regard to the Manchester travel-to-work area have been received since the designation of the new North-Western intermediate area on 22nd March, 1972; and how many new jobs in total, and for men and women, respectively, are expected to result from these inquiries

Mr. Chataway

Twenty IDCs have been granted for projects estimated to provide 1,100 jobs. In addition there have been further applications for IDCs, 20 inquiries about factories and a large number of inquiries about our new incentives, from many of which job opportunities could arise.

Mr. Kaufman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since his new policies were introduced with such a fanfare four months ago, what we have had in Manchester from these policies is all scrape and no bread? Is he aware that in these four months we have lost 4,500 jobs at Irlam and Churchill's and that all that he has been able to tell the House in that extremely complicated reply is that in less than three weeks there have been two inquiries which will produce no jobs? When will he give Manchester the jobs it needs?

Mr. Chataway

I can accept none of that. The plain fact is that at Manchester and elsewhere there has been a substantial reduction in unemployment over recent months. The level of inquiries we have received in the North-Western office has increased, but even if it does not comfort the hon. Gentleman, there are very large numbers of people who are aware of the opportunities which the new incentives have provided and are sure that they are of benefit to the region.

Mr. Normanton

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that some of the manifestations which there have been in certain sectors of industry in the North West have themselves been against encouraging industry to expand? Would he not highlight this as being an extremely good ground on which industry will continue to deteriorate so long as irresponsibility is of that order?

Mr. Chataway

I believe that good industrial relations there and elsewhere are a tremendous asset to any region and that a number of companies have had successful expansion.