HC Deb 04 February 1993 vol 218 cc466-7
7. Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of his policies on Yorkshire and Humberside.

Mr. Nelson

I pay attention to a range of statistics and information—for example, the economic survey of the Association of Yorkshire and Humberside Chambers of Commerce, which showed an improvement in sales, exports and business confidence for the fourth quarter of 1992.

Mr. Hinchliffe

My children aged seven and four have asked me to press the Government on their concern about the fact that the ice cream man no longer comes down our street—[Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. Such interruptions are a tremendous waste of our valuable time.

Mr. Hinchliffe

How do I explain to my children that the ice cream man has joined the 250,000 other unemployed people in Yorkshire and Humberside and that his company, which produced excellent ice cream for generations of my constituents, has gone bust and is yet another casualty of the Government's lunatic economic policies?

Mr. Nelson

I am sorry to hear about the ice cream man. I must confess that that was one supplementary question that I did not anticipate, but perhaps I can say to the hon. Member, as someone who frequently visits his constituency and knows that area well, that perhaps his children will take more comfort from the fact that Wakefield has been chosen as the site for the British Rail channel tunnel freight centre. That will mean a £150 million scheme involving the employment of some 4,900 people. Is that not good news?

Sir Donald Thompson

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that industry in West Yorkshire is among the most prosperous in the country and will he make sure that he and his colleagues do nothing either fiscally or regionally to disturb those deep-rooted businesses?

Mr. Nelson

I agree entirely with my hon. Friend. I would only add that since this Government came to office some £300 million of Government support has been made available to companies in the region to create and safeguard jobs. Added to the investment and enterprise in the area, that is a powerful combination which should give encouragement and confidence.