HC Deb 19 October 1993 vol 230 cc131-2
3. Mr. Jack Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had recently with the Northern Development Company about increasing employment prospects in the northern region.

Mr. David Hunt

I met Dr. John Bridge, the chief executive of the Northern Development Company, recently and had a useful discussion with him.

Mr. Thompson

The Secretary of State must be aware of the fact—he should have nightmares about it—that unemployment in the northern region in 1990 was 120,000 and had risen in September 1993 to 171,000–17 per cent. of that figure consisted of those aged between 16 and 18. Would it not be better if he and his Department took a greater interest in the excellent work of the NDC which is supported by local authorities, trade unions and employers in industry in the district? To my knowledge, his Department has shown little interest. It would be helpful for the northern region if his Department would get off its backside and show that it has an interest in reducing unemployment in the northern region.

Mr. Hunt

I am very surprised that the hon. Gentleman did not mention the Wansbeck initiative, which brings together the key players. I had understood that the hon. Gentleman was an observer on the Wansbeck initiative. If he were, and had been attending, he would know that my Department attends and is part of the initiative, as is the Employment Service, the Department of Trade and Industry, churches, trade unions, local councils, the Northern Development Company and the Northumberland training and enterprise council. May I have the hon. Gentleman's support in wishing the Wansbeck initiative every success in future? I believe that that partnership has the determination and skill to turn the problems of Wansbeck into the problems of success.

Mr. Bates

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the latest edition of "Business Survey North"—a quarterly survey of 764 firms in the northern region conducted by the Northern Development Company—was published this morning? Is he aware that it pointed to business confidence being at its highest level for three years, investment in plant and machinery being at record levels and profits at their highest levels since the survey began? Does not that give the true picture of the diverse and dynamic economy in the northern region, which is very different from the gloomy one so often painted by the Labour party?

Mr. Hunt

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is sad that the Labour party does so much to talk down the northern region and the United Kingdom. Our GDP—whole economy output—has risen for five consecutive quarters, manufacturing output is up 1.25 per cent. on 12 months ago and industrial production is up by 2.5 per cent. As my hon. Friend said, we are leading Europe out of recession, through recovery and into growth. It is about time that Opposition Members realised that and paid tribute to the work carried out.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

What can Ministers do to help the Northern Development Company find a tenant or a new owner for the 500,000 sq ft former Leyland Volvo national plant in my constituency?

Mr. Hunt

Create the background environment in which people will find the opportunity to create more jobs and more opportunities. The last thing that we should do is adopt the policies of the Labour party by introducing a statutory minimum wage, and adhering to the social chapter, which would destroy millions of jobs in this country.