§ 8. Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the present percentage rates of unemployment for(a)Blackburn,(b)the North-West; and what were the corresponding rates in May 1979.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe unemployment rates in the Blackburn travel-to-work area at 13 November 1980 and 10 May 1979 were 10.6 and 6.0 per cent., respectively. The corresponding rates for the North-West region were 10.9 and 6.7 per cent. The rates are based on figures which include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted.
§ Mr. StrawIs the Minister aware that over the last 12 months in every town in North-East Lancashire—which is to lose its assistance under the Industry Act—unemployment has doubled, and in one case it has trebled? Is he concerned about that? When his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State asks for patience, and when he describes unemployment as a short-term transitional problem, as he did earlier this afternoon, will he say how long those unemployed in Blackburn and North-East Lancashire will have to wait before the rates are down to the May 1979 level?
§ Mr. LesterIf I could answer the hon. Gentleman's last question, I would not be Under-Secretary of State for Employment because I would be possessed of rather magical powers. We are concerned about the problems of the North-West and the problems in those particular towns. The reason why the review of the regional areas was built in was that they could be taken into account. The allocation to the North-West of 82,000 places under the youth opportunities programme in 1981–82 shows how much we recognise the seriousness of the problem.
§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonI recognise the steps that my hon. Friend and his right hon. Friend have taken to reduce unemployment in the North-West and elsewhere, but does he not agree that many of those who have lost their jobs were in the the textile and paper and board industries in the North-West? Does he not also agree that we have opportunities of putting the matter right, like other EEC countries which have acted in their national interest? Will my hon. Friend urge upon the Prime Minister and his right hon. Friends steps that will preserve the manufacturing base of the North-West?
§ Mr. LesterI know how passionately my hon. Friend feels about his constituency and the area around it, and he puts forward his views very strongly. Of course, in our concern for those who are losing their jobs in the textile industry we are constantly in contact with our colleagues in other Departments, putting forward views and trying to support them where we feel there is a sensible way in which we can help the industry. Of course, we are against dumping and illegal labelling, but the textile industry has also needed to rationalise.