§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will give details of the total amount expended by the Government, in each of the years 1962 to the present time, by way of grants to industrialists, on factory buildings, building grants, plan and machinery, and other inducements to provide new industries and employment in Blaydon.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantI regret that this information is not readily available.
§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what proposals he has for increasing the number of industrial firms in Blaydon;
(2) if he is satisfied with the progress made in providing additional employment in Blaydon; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what further consideration has been given by his Department in regard to its regional policy, and, in particular, in the provision of new jobs to counter act the present and future contraction of the mining industry, and older basic industries in the North-East.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantI am fully aware of the need to encourage the creation of more employment opportunities in Blaydon and indeed in all the assisted areas. The Government's regional policy is designed to achieve this objective.