§ 18. Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Industry what action is being taken to secure industrial development in West Yorkshire, especially in those areas where the operation of the wool textile scheme has created redundancies.
§ Mr. CryerIn addition to the financial incentives to industrial investment on offer because West Yorkshire is an intermediate 1139 area, the construction of 36 advance factories has been approved since November 1974.
§ Mr. MaddenIs my hon. Friend aware that the Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council's strategy review for the region calls upon the Government to undertake a coherent strategy for West Yorkshire? Does he believe that the Department's present strategy for West Yorkshire, especially Calderdale and Kirk-lees, constitutes a coherent policy?
§ Mr. CryerYes, I do. The Department is expressing concern about the position in Yorkshire and Humberside. As I have indicated in previous answers, we have made positive attempts to remedy the serious unemployment that occurs in pockets within the West Yorkshire area.
As a West Yorkshire MP representing Keighley, I know only too well the sort of problem that my hon. Friend has outlined. He knows that following his representations I went to the area and discussed the question of the particular problems associated with the narrow Pennine valleys. The Department of Industry, through the English Industrial Estates Corporation, in conjunction with Calderdale, is to embark on a study of converting old factories into modern ones. I am sure that that is the sort of industrial regeneration that will have beneficial effects for the future.