§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to create more jobs in (a) Kirkby and (b) on Merseyside.
§ Mr. David MitchellI have been asked to reply.
Within the Merseyside special development area, of which Kirkby is a part, firms can qualify for the maximum levels of regional incentives in Great Britain including regional development grants at a rate of 22 per cent. The changes in regional policy announced last July will concentrate assistance on the special development areas.
NUMBERS UNEMPLOYED AT 10 JANUARY 1980 Column (i) Column (ii) Column (iii) All age groups Under 18 years of age (included in Column (ii)) County Males Females Total Males Females Total South Glamorgan … 10,015 3,540 13,555 477 543 1,020 Mid Glamorgan … 11,155 5,951 17,106 804 956 1,760 West Glamorgan … 8,331 5,047 13,378 442 504 946 Gwent … … 10,070 5,554 15,624 642 815 1,457 Dyfed … … 6,033 3,323 9,356 252 328 580 Powys … … 1,094 502 1,596 40 40 80 Gwynedd … … 5,255 2,544 7,799 195 226 421 Clwyd … … 7,995 4,455 12,450 350 427 777 Wales … … 59,948 30,916 90,864 3,202 3,839 7,041