§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether, in view of the rapid rise in unemployment in the Isle of Wight, he will now extend assisted area status to the county.
§ Mr. David MitchellNo. The Government's regional policy is to concentrate on those areas of greatest need and on present evidence, including an unemployment rate below the national average, there is no such case for designating the Isle of Wight an assisted area.