§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the level of unemployment in the Torrington area of Devon; and if he will make a statement on the position.
§ Mr. GoldingNo, I am not satisfied with the level of unemployment in the Torrington area. The November unemployment rate for the Bideford employment office area, which covers Torrington was 9.5 per cent. The Government have, since 1975, introduced a series of special measures to mitigate the worst effects of unemployment and so far over 340 people have benefited in the Bideford area. As part of the South-West Development Area, Torrington also stands to gain from the regional incentives available to firms expanding or moving there.
§ Mr. Peter Millsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what further steps he is taking to reduce unemployment in the Torrington area of Devon.
§ Mr. GoldingOn 29th June my right hon. Friend announced further measures to reduce unemployment which will come into operation during 1978 and which should benefit unemployed people in the Torrington area, as in the country as a whole. These include a youth opportunities programme and a special temporary employment programme. In the meantime, the area should continue to benefit from the existing special employment measures.
644WIn the longer term, the action the Government are taking to combat inflation and to encourage investment should help to reduce unemployment throughout the country.