§ Mr. Aitkenasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will designate Thanet as an industrial development area; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for his decision.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe designation of Thanet as an assisted area would664W not be justified. Although rates of unemployment are high they arise from a combination of seasonal factors, which are normal for an area dependent on tourism, and of the recession. The measures introduced by the Government to alleviate unemployment caused by the recession have not been confined to the assisted areas but instead are available throughout Great Britain, and Thanet, therefore, is eligible to benefit from them.