§ 5. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment by what amount he estimates unemployment has risen since May 1979 in the assisted areas of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Jim LesterBetween May 1979 and April 1980 the number of people registered as unemployed in the assisted areas of Great Britain and in Northern Ireland increased by 146,299.
§ Mr. JonesWill not these ominous figures get worse? Is the Under-Secretary aware that in Flint, which is an assisted area, male unemployment stands in excess of 32 per cent? Does he accept that the assisted areas are vulnerable under the Government's current economic policy?
§ Mr. LesterAssisted areas have been vulnerable for the last 20 years. That is why they were made into assisted areas. Surely the hon. Gentleman will give credit to the Government who declared Shotton a special development area last December. The Welsh Development Agency plans to spend £61.8 million on land and factory building in Wales.
§ Mr. WigleyDoes the Under-Secretary realise that the calamitous unemployment rate in Wales is hitting young people in particular? Is he aware that 40 per cent. of the unemployed in Wales are 24 years old or younger? What prospects does he hold out for school leavers?
§ Mr. LesterOne of the reasons why we expanded the youth opportunities programme was to deal with that serious underlying problem. We continue to review all our measures annually to reflect such situations.
§ Mr. MarlandThe Forest of Dean is not an assisted area, but because of serious rising unemployment there, will my hon. Friend join me in trying to persuade the Department of Industry to establish some workshop units in that area?
§ Mr. LesterI have enough problems in my own Department without answering 232 for the Department of Industry. However, I shall examine what my hon. Friend says with the Secretary of State for Industry.