§ 11. Mr. Robert Atkinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current rate of unemployment in the Preston travel-to-work area.
§ Mr. WaddingtonAt 11 June, the provisional unemployment rate in the Preston travel-to-work area was 11.4 per cent.
§ Mr. AtkinsDoes my hon. and learned Friend agree that that figure would be intolerable, were it to last for any length of time? Does he further agree with me—with his special knowledge of the Preston area as a local man—that Preston will be well placed when the recession ends to gain great advantage from its geographical location, its communications and the general structure of its industry, especially with successful industries such as British Aerospace?
§ Mr. WaddingtonMy hon. Friend is quite correct. Preston is splendidly placed, with its good communications. It has an excellent work force. It is a natural growth point and will be one of the first places to benefit from our anti-inflationary policies and our policies to restore the competitiveness of British industry.