HC Deb 18 May 1981 vol 5 cc10-1
13. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will seek to meet leaders of West Cumbrian industry to discuss the industrial economy of the county.

Mr. Tebbit

I have no doubt that if leaders of West Cumbrian industry see merit in discussing the industrial economy of the county with me they will ask to do so. My noble Friend the then Minister of State did of course meet representatives of industry in Cumbria when he visited the county late last year.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Does the Minister accept that the announcement by the British Steel Corporation last week that it is to make 907 of my constituents redundant is catastrophic for Workington? Is he aware that it will lead to an unemployment level of 18, 19 or 20 per cent. later this year? Will he review the assisted area status decision that he took one and a half years ago, when he reduced the area from being a special develoment area to a development area? We want our status back.

Mr. Tebbit

Of course I deeply regret that the British Steel Corporation has found it necessary to announce further redundancies in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. There is no pleasure in that for any of us. Despite that, in view of the present position in his constituency and the local travel-to-work area relative to those around it, I am not yet convinced that it would be right to reverse the decision taken last year.

Mr. Wilkinson

When considering what response to make to representations on the level of industrial activity in Cumbria, will my hon. Friend have discussions with Ministers in the Department of Defence, since defence-related industries play an important part in sustaining employment and industrial activity in Cumbria, as in many other industrial regions?

Mr. Tebbit

Yes, we keep such considerations in mind. I am sure that my hon. Friend equally bears in mind the fact that the greatest part of the output of defence-related industries is paid for by the taxpayer and does not have a market that is voluntarily supported by the customers.

Mr. Orme

Does the Minister agree that the recent redundancies in that small industrial community will have a devastating effect on areas such as Maryport and Distington, where male unemployment is reaching 20 per cent.? Will the Minister take special action to deal with that?

Mr. Tebbit

It is always possible to define particular small areas with enormously high peaks of unemployment. I have to look at the whole of the travel-to-work area relative to others and relative to unemployment in the United Kingdom as a whole. It is essential that there is a clear incentive for industry to go to the worst areas. Unless help is concentrated it becomes totally ineffectual.