HC Deb 04 November 1974 vol 880 cc681-2
22. Mr. Radice

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what steps he is taking to bring down the unemployment figures in the Northern Region.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

The doubling of the regional employment premium, announced in the Chancellor's statement on 22nd July, was intended to help areas such as the Northern Region with unacceptably high rates of unemployment. We shall be keeping a careful watch on the situation.

Mr. Radice

Does my hon. Friend realise that the increased unemployment level in the Northern Region is the highest in the United Kingdom outside Northern Ireland? Is he also aware that hon. Members representing constituencies in the Northern Region, many of whom were returned with very large Labour majorities, were not elected to preside over high and rapidly rising unemployment? What do the Government intend to do?

Mr. Mackenzie

Let me first congratulate my hon. Friend and others from the area on their return to this House. The "Regeneration of British Industry" White Paper was published by the Government before the election. Many of its provisions exercised our minds during the election campaign and will be the means by which we tackle the problem.

Mr. Marten

Does the hon. Gentleman remember 1971 and 1972, when we were told that as a result of going into the Common Market these matters would be very different? What has happened to the Common Market regional development policies? Have they got lost?

Mr. Mackenzie

The traditional reply is to tell an hon. Member that he must ask the Foreign Secretary. In this case the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) must ask his right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition.