§ 78. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what action is being taken by the Northern Economic Planning Council regarding the special unemployment difficulties affecting Sunderland.
§ Mr. Frederick LeeThe Councils are, of course, advisory but the right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Northern Economic Planning Council is today publishing its outline strategy for the Northern Region up to 1981. This envisages the Tyne/Wear Sub-Region as one of the areas of major economic growth.
Cost of Government Assistance to Industry* (Financial Year 1964–65–1967–68 inclusive) (to nearest £ million) Estimated population as at mid-1968 Assistance per head of population 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 Total (000s) £ Northern Region … 15 14 18 86 133 3,341 40 Wales … 1 4 10 42 57 2,720 21 * The figures given in these columns cover the following items:— Assistance offered under Local Employment Acts during the whole of the stated period; investment grants paid in 1967–68 (including the regional differential element); selective employment premium and the regional employment premium from their introduction in September, 1966 and September, 1967 respectively; and assistance provided for industrial training in 1966–67 and 1967–68. No regional breakdown is available of the value of free depreciation and investment allowances available in the former Development Districts.
§ Mr. Gwynfor Evansasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs what was the estimated cost in grants to industry per new job created for the Northern Region of England and for Wales, respectively, between 1964–65 and 1967–68, inclusive.
§ Mr. UrwinThe only form of assistance to industry in respect of which meaningful estimates of the type requested can be made is that given under the Local Employment Acts, 1960–66, which is linked to the provision of employment. All forms of assistance—grants, loans and factory building—offered during the period April, 1964—March, 1968, in the Welsh Development