§ Mr. Boydenasked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the high unemployment currently prevailing in the Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale areas, he will schedule the whole areas of the Barnard Castle Urban District Council and of the Barnard Castle Rural District Council as development districts under the Local Employment Act.
§ Mr. ErrollI am aware that unemployment in the Barnard Castle area is at a high level. A considerable proportion is due to seasonal factors. I am not satisfied at present that there will be persistently high unemployment in this area and therefore I should not be justified in listing it as a development district now. I shall, however, keep a careful watch on the position.