Alnwick and Amble

HC Deb 13 December 1977 vol 941 cc255-6

6. Mr. Beith

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the most recent unemployment figures for Alnwick and Amble, respectively.

Mr. John Grant

At 10th November, the numbers of people registered as unemployed in the Alnwick and Amble employment office areas were 675 and 330, respectively.

Mr. Beith

Is the Minister aware how difficult it is to tackle these high rates—14 per cent. in the case of Amble—when just down the road there is an area enjoying all the benefits of special development area status? Does he know, for example, that one local firm recently moved into the special development area in order to get those benefits? Will he consider the possibility of extending the small firms employment subsidy to ordinary development areas, where it could be of great assistance?

Mr. Grant

I appreciate the problem. Of course, the area has development area status and there are some advantages to be gained from that. The question of special development area status is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry. The small firms employment subsidy is to be reviewed, and I shall certainly draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the hon. Gentleman's remarks.