HC Deb 28 April 1980 vol 983 cc960-1
18. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to promote industry in the Black Country districts of the West Midlands in view of recent closures and redundancies.

Mr. David Mitchell

The Government's policies are designed to encourage industrial expansion and employment throughout the country.

Mr. Winnick

Is the Minister aware of the deep concern that continues to exist at the never-ending redundancies in the Black Country? Will his Department show some understanding and recognition of the industrial and employment problems that exist in this part of the West Midlands?

Mr. Mitchell

The best hope for prosperity in the Black Country, as elsewhere, lies in the measures that the Government are taking to defeat inflation, put the economy on a sound footing and remove the shackles from private enterprise.

Mr. Adley

Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Black Country is one of the candidate areas for inclusion as an enterprise zone? In view of the apparent schizophrenia on the Opposition Benches. may we know at some time whether the Labour Members of Parliament for those areas which are candidates want the scheme or not?

Mr. Mitchell

I am not sure whether that question is addressed to me. However, I recently visited Wolverhampton, and I listened with great care to what the people there had to say about their problems. I was fascinated when the Socialist chairman of the planning committee said that he supported the concept of his area being advanced as a potential enterprise zone as the scheme seeks to undo the damage of years of Socialism.