§ Q3. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Prime Minister if he will visit the Cannock Chase.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so.
§ Mr. RobertsIf at some date in future my right hon. Friend visits this area, he will find a very strong community spirit. Does he accept that that community spirit is in danger unless urgent steps are taken to reduce unemployment and to provide local jobs and unless there is an expansion of public expenditure, which would enable urgently-required local projects, such as the Cannock Community Hospital, to be brought forward?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, it is obviously a prime concern of this country, as of other industrialised countries, to return to full employment. I hope in my discussions with President Carter in Washington next week to make this a major item of discussion leading to the summit conference of the industrialised nations in May. The free world as a whole, as well as each individual country, must tackle this matter.
I am glad to say to my hon. Friend that industrial output has begun to move ahead, that less short-time working is being done, that there is more overtime 609 working and that the trends are moving in favour of more employment. But this is happening too slowly. As I have said before—and I say it again—I cannot see sufficient improvement yet.