§ 2. Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest available unemployment figures expressed numerically and as a percentage in the Lampeter/Llandyssul and the Cardigan travel-to-work areas; and how they compare with those for the same month in 1979.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsOn 11 November 1982 the figures were 1,225 or 21.2 per cent. and 684 or 19 per cent. respectively. In November 1979 the number of registrants unemployed was 750 or 13.4 per cent. and 500 or 13.6 per cent. respectively.
§ Dr. ThomasIn the light of those figures, which emphasise the chronic nature of unemployment in the area, when the right hon. Gentleman announces the roads programme in early 1983 can we expect a substantial investment to improve the roads between the Teifi valley and the A40 and A48 in South Wales, to relieve this much beleaguered area?
§ Mr. EdwardsI cannot anticipate any specific road improvements to that part of the hon. Gentleman's 653 constituency. He will know that the major improvements to the road link along the M4 west into west Wales are already of considerable benefit to that part of Wales as well as to the other areas that are affected.
§ Mr. Geraint HowellsWhy, during the past 10 years, have successive Governments failed to solve the unemployment problem in the Teifi valley?
§ Mr. EdwardsParticular problems attach to a rural area of this kind, but the problems in this instance are by no means exceptional and do not compare unfavourably with many others, particularly those in industrial areas, where the numbers are very much greater. The DBRW has an energetic programme in the area, and its new grant scheme will help. In addition, a number of advance factories are available. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be the first to agree that the DBRW is doing good and constructive work and is helping to tackle the problems of mid-Wales.