§ 1. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has plans to give any financial assistance to encourage industry for the town of Biddulph, Staffordshire.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Industry (Mr. John MacGregor)Financial assistance is already available under national schemes to projects in the town of Biddulph which are able to meet the necessary criteria for aid.
§ Mr. KnoxAs unemployment in Biddulph has risen from 126 in January 1974 to 940 now, does my hon. Friend accept that there is a strong case for special help being given to Biddulph to encourage the creation of more jobs?
§ Mr. MacGregorI understand my hon. Friend's concern about the situation in Biddulph, but he knows that special help in the form of assisted area status, which I imagine is what he has in mind, has traditionally and for a long time been directed by several Governments at travel-to-work areas. I understand that many Biddulph residents work outside the town, elsewhere in the Stoke travel-to-work area. I do not believe that the present situation in the Stoke travel-to-work area makes it appropriate for a change in assisted area status. We will, of course, continue to monitor the situation.