§ 1. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many grants have been given under the microelectronics industry support programme in each year since its inception to firms in the Yorkshire and Humberside region; and what were the total amounts of money involved in each year.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Industry (Mr. John MacGregor)No support under the microelectronics industry support programme has been given to companies in the Yorkshire and Humberside region, but companies in the region have benefited from the schemes designed to encourage the development and use of new technologies.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the Minister agree that that type of answer demonstrates the Government's attitude to the Yorkshire and Humberside region? Is he aware that there is high unemployment in that area? Does he agree that new technology should be introduced to help young people who remain in Yorkshire and Humberside? Is he aware that although we do riot expect silicone valleys to be formed in Yorkshire, there is high unemployment in the Dearne Valley—about 23.5 per cent. in the Mexborough district area? When will the Government do something for the area?
§ Mr. MacGregorThe hon. Gentleman misunderstands. The programme about which he asked relates specifically to microelectronics industry support. The hon. Gentleman will know that there is little industry in Yorkshire and Humberside that is associated with the manufacture of microelectronic components to which the programme is directed.
The Government are encouraging new technologies in Yorkshire and Humberside with about 120 grants and projects and other technology schemes. The hon. Gentleman is on o good point. We should publicise the schemes more. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will do so in his region.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I hope that we shall have briefer questions. There will then be briefer replies.
§ Mr. BudgenWill my hon. Friend tell the House why the Government are likely to be more successful in backing winners in microeletronics than the previous Government were in backing winners in the motor industry?
§ Mr. MacGregorMy hon. Friend knows that the Government are strongly emphasising the encouragement of microtechnology in industry. We are likely to be more successful because industry is responding to the many measures that we are introducing.
§ Mr. WoolmerIs the Minister aware that there are 300,000 unemployed people in Yorkshire and Humberside and that his Department has withdrawn assisted area status from many parts of the region? If the Government will not 717 help in that way, what will they do to replace the hundreds of thousands of jobs that have been lost in textiles and engineering?
§ Mr. MacGregorA later question relates to assisted area status. We have already debated the matter with regard to Yorkshire. With regard to new industries—especially those making use of microtechnologies—there has been a take-up in Yorkshire and Humberside of schemes that are still available. I hope that many more will be taken up.