§ Mr. Milneasked the Secretary of State for Local Government and Regional Planning if he will undertake an examination of the work of the Northern Economic Planning Council with a view to increasing the potential for further job opportunities in the Blyth constituency and throughout the Northern Region in view of the present unemployment position and the proposals for further pit closures.
§ Mr. UrwinI would not regard this as appropriate. The Government are in broad agreement with the pattern of development indicated in the council's outline strategy for the North up to 1981 published last April. This identifies as a major area of growth the Tyne/Wear area, which includes Blyth.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of Technology continues to give all encouragement possible to firms to take full advantage of the substantial assistance available for industrial expansion in the development areas and of the additional incentives to incoming industry in special development areas such as Blyth.