HC Deb 03 July 1975 vol 894 cc1666-8
Q1. Mr. Hicks

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to South-East Cornwall.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

I have at present no plans to make an official visit, although, as the hon. Member knows, I am able to keep in close touch with Cornish problems.

Mr. Hicks

I am sorry that the Prime Minister is not to renew his family association with Liskeard at this stage. Is he aware that the rural areas, such as South-East Cornwall, are dependent upon a large number of small industrial and commercial units? Is he further aware that those small commercial organisations are now facing extreme financial pressures? Does he believe that the fabric of regional development policies is sufficiently flexible in their application to take account of the requirements of small firms in rural areas?

The Prime Minister

The hon. Gentleman has not put this at all unfairly. There is a serious problem in this and other rural and mixed areas. There are many difficulties. As Cornwall has special status under the regional policy, the Development Commission has been holding discussions with the chairman of the South-West Economic Planning Board and some of the county and district councils to see whether special Development Commission assistance is needed. Industry Act assistance is available to all eligible firms irrespective of size. The Development Commission has assisted small enterprises. The small firms' information service is devoted to helping smaller businesses to find solutions to those problems.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

As the Prime Minister is not going to Cornwall, will he come to Merseyside and explain to the people there how the measures announced by the Chancellor are likely to reduce unemployment levels? Will he explain to my constituents in Kirkby how those measures will reduce juvenile unemployment in that town?

The Prime Minister

I did not say that I was not going to Cornwall; I said that I was not planning to pay an official visit to South-East Cornwall. I am going to Cornwall, but it will not be an official visit.

I visit Merseyside regularly. I am well aware of the serious problems of Kirkby, which I represented for many years until my hon. Friend took it over. As that area has almost the largest number of children under the age of 15 in the country there is always a problem of juvenile employment there.

I do not believe that what my right hon. Friend announced on Tuesday will be adverse to Kirkby or anywhere else in the country, because an attack on inflation is the best and surest way of ensuring a quick return to full employment.