§ 14. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional employment for men is in prospect in Sunderland.
§ Mr. Chataway740 male jobs in the Sunderland Group of Employment Exchange Areas. This takes no account of jobs that may arise in the service sector.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the Minister realise that, welcome though it is, it does little more than match continuing redundancies and closures? Is he aware that the Secretary of State for Employment shocked the Sunderland Corporation recently by refusing to discuss with it the question of high and persistent unemployment in Sunderland? In view of this, would he consider discussing with Sunderland the opportunities which may arise from the new Industry Bill?
§ Mr. ChatawayI am very willing to arrange any discussions which may be helpful. I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman has derived satisfaction from the fact that in the past two months the unemployment figure in Sunderland has dropped by nearly 1,000.