§ 14. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has plans to give any financial assistance to encourage industry to the town of Biddulph, Staffordshire.
§ Mr. David MitchellNone specifically to the town of Biddulph.
§ Mr. KnoxAs unemployment in Biddulph has risen from 130 in February 1974 to 330 last month, and because of the certainty of a further steep rise in unemployment over the next few months, does my hon. Friend agree that there is a strong case for giving some special help to Biddulph in order to encourage new jobs, particularly because of the town's proximity to the Cheshire border, where special help is given?
§ Mr. MitchellIt would not be possible to give special help on the basis of the figures quoted by my hon. Friend without wrecking the whole of the policy, on which we have started, of concentrating aid on the areas of greatest need.