HC Deb 23 February 1970 vol 796 cc221-2W
73. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that the rate of unemployment in the Thorne district is now nearly 12 per cent.; and whether he will take steps to give it special development area status to enable it to attract new industries there.

Mr. Varley

Because of the close travel to work links with Doncaster, it is no longer meaningful to quote a separate unemployment rate for Thorne alone. We propose to extend intermediate area benefits to the Doncaster group of employment exchange areas, including Thorne, when the Local Employment Bill comes into force.