§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will now have the whole of Cardiganshire designated as a special development area;
(2) what is the current total of unemployed persons in Cardiganshire; and whether he expects an increase or decrease in this sum by the end of 1971.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantNo. The circumstances of Cardiganshire do not justify special development area status. At 8th March, 1971, there were 795 persons registered as unemployed in the area covered by Aberystwyth, Llandyssul, Lampeter and Cardigan employment exchange areas. Unemployment is influenced by a number of factors, but I am confident that employment prospects will be improved as the Government's economic and regional policies take effect.