§ Mr. Gerry Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest available percentage level of unemployment in the Oakengates and Madeley travel-to-work areas of Salop; and what investigation he has made of the likely effect upon it of the proposed closure of the Granville colliery.
§ Mr. GoldingIn October 1978 the unemployment percentage rate for the Oakengates travel-to-work area, which comprises the employment office areas of Oakengates, Bridgnorth, Madeley and Wellington, was 8.3 per cent.—8.0 per cent. males. As yet no formal notification of redundancies at Granville colliery has been received by my Department and I understand that a final decision on the future of the colliery has not yet been made. I am, however, very much aware of the serious effects that a possible closure could have on the area, and my officials are continuing to keep in close touch with the situation.