§ 16. Dr. BerryTo ask the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to announce his review of the assisted areas map; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyAn announcement will be made as soon as possible, taking account of the outcome of the coal review and after the necessary clearance of the European Commission.
§ Dr. BerryIs the Minister aware of the enormous support for assisted area status for the Bristol travel-to-work area? Is he aware that the submissions of the local councils have cross-party support and the support of the public and private sectors in Bristol? Is the Minister aware that unemployment in Bristol has risen at twice the average national rate over the past two years, 281 with record levels of long-term unemployment and thousands of jobs lost at companies such as Rolls-Royce and British Aerospace? When will the Minister do something about that?
§ Mr. SainsburyI am aware of those matters. The joint submission made by the county, district, borough and city councils and Avon training and enterprise council and the figures to which the hon. Gentleman referred will be carefully considered, along with those relating to all other travel-to-work areas, before we announce the result of our review.
§ Mr. Barry FieldWill my hon. Friend confirm that the Isle of Wight has left no stone unturned in making its case? Does he agree that it is appalling that when my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a pilot study of the benefit to jobs, we heard only carping criticism from the Liberal Democrats? That is the very sin of which they always accuse other parties. It is just too bad; when my right hon. Friend the Chancellor adopts an Opposition suggestion all their spokesmen could do in the House last night was to criticise the Budget.
§ Mr. SainsburyMy hon. Friend made his second point with his usual force and strength. I confirm that not only the Isle of Wight authorities but my hon. Friend have left no stone unturned. In fact, I would say that they have turned over every stone at least twice, in making representations for the Isle of Wight and its possible qualification for assisted area status.
§ Mr. Jim Cunninghamrose—
§ Madam SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman's name escapes me.
§ Mr. CunninghamIt is not very often that my name escapes people.
Does not the Minister realise that the delay in disclosing the date for the announcement of the assisted areas map is causing great uncertainty for cities like Coventry, which recently experienced further redundancies in companies such as Rolls-Royce? When will the Minister be able to announce the exact date so that the uncertainty in relation to investment may be removed?
§ Mr. SainsburyI appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point. I can assure him that we will make the announcement as soon as we can, taking the coal review into account, as I am sure the House would wish us to do.