Mr. Jim Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps are being taken to deal with the level of unemployment in the North-West Region, with particular reference to the Greater Manchester Area.
§ Mr. GoldingThe North-West will continue to benefit from the special employment measures which we have introduced and which have already been of considerable assistance. So far, over 150,000 persons have been assisted in the region, including 36,000 in Greater Manchester. Further benefits, particularly for young people, should result from the youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme in coming months. The whole of the region, including Greater Manchester, has assisted area status and will,446W therefore, stand to benefit, in the longer term, from the regional incentives available to firms expanding or moving there.