§ Q11. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister what further measures are intended to deal with unemployment in the North-East, where, apart from 59W Northern Ireland, the rate of unemployment is higher than anywhere in the United Kingdom; and what are the responsibilities of the Minister for the North-East in dealing with the problem.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the pace of the economy quickens with the new export orders available to British industry, the massive and wide-ranging measures the Government is already taking to assist the development areas including the North-East should have increasing effect and, as my right hon. Friend knows, they were reinforced only comparatively recently by the Regional Employment Premium and the additional incentives available in special development areas, where colliery closures are likely to have the greatest impact. On the second part of the Question I would refer my right hon. Friend to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs to a Question by the hon. Member for Blyth on 26th January.—[Vol. 757, c.191.]