HC Deb 26 June 1972 vol 839 cc990-2
18. 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

Eighteen inquiries for sites or premises. It is too early to say how many jobs may arise from these inquiries.

Mr. Kaufman

Is it not clear that, after three months of new incentives, not one single guaranteed new job has been provided by them? Therefore, in view of the fact that for the first time in history the North West has a higher rate of unemployment than Wales and that there are 2,400 further redundancies expected at Irlam, what further positive proposals have the Government to make to save the North West and Manchester from sliding into an irreversible decline?

Mr. Chataway

In fact the IDC's granted since March have resulted in projects which should give rise to 900 additional jobs. The hon. Gentleman knows that the unemployment figures between April and May dropped by 2,500. It is the Government's intention to continue the strong downward trend in unemployment in the Manchester area which is obvious at present.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Does not my right hon. Friend sometimes weary of well doing? Does it not strike him, after having had only a few months of his new responsibilities, that with every new attempt to devise better gradations of industrial development status, those who receive them are dissatisfied and those who do not are even more dissatified?

Mr. Chataway

I would say to my hon. Friend that well doing is a great deal less wearisome than ill doing.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the "downward trend of unemployment"—which was his phrase—did not manifest itself very markedly in the figures announced for the North West last Thursday—against a background of a contraction in the British Steel Corporation and the redundancies which are expected to arise in the textile industry? Will he give special attention to the growing unemployment and loss of job opportunities in the Greater Manchester area, and, indeed, in the North West generally?

Mr. Chataway

The hon. Gentleman knows that under any Government there are bound to be contractions in the steel industry, and that is absolutely apparent. This adds to the size of the task we have before us, but I have told the House that we are determined to ensure that the expansion of employment opportunities which is going on in Manchester will continue.