§ Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will commission a study of the effects of the regional employment premium on employment in the development areas.
§ Mr. ShoreI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Bebington (Mr. Brooks) and West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) earlier today.
§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Economic Affairs whether he will now give a precise estimate of the total cost to public funds of the 100,000 new jobs in development areas forecast by his Department.
§ Mr. UrwinThe Exchequer cost of the regional employment premium is estimated at £100 million a year over the seven years from its introduction in 1967.