Mr. W. Joseph Stewartasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the county of Durham there are more than 60,000 persons unemployed, 6,000 of whom have been unemployed for more than five years; and what is being done by his Department to place these persons into employment?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am, of course, aware of the heavy unemployment in the Durham area. In so far as strategic considerations make this possible, I am making every effort to secure that work may be afforded by extending Government productive capacity in the area. I would, in addition, remind the hon.1054W Member that the Team Valley Trading Estate as well as other schemes have been initiated or assisted by the Commissioner for the Special Areas.