§ Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to increase employment opportunities in the Consett and Stanley Urban Districts in County Durham.
§ Mr. RidleyI am aware of the situation in Consett and Stanley. The area will benefit from the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 27th October, 1970. We will do all that we can to encourage the creation of additional employment opportunities there. Three advance factories are available for allocation.
§ Mr. Armstrongasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total number of insured males employed in Durham County in 1955, 1960, 1965 and 1970, respectively; and how many were employed in Government advance factories in each year specified.
§ Mr. RidleyThe information is as follows:
COUNTY DURHAM Period Estimated number of insured males Estimated number of insured males employed in advance factories* mid-1955 … 425,000 — mid-1960 … 422,000 — mid-1965 … 410,000 352 mid-1969 … 398,000 2,526 (latest convenient date) * Provided under the Local Employment Acts 1960–1970: information on employment in Government advance factories provided under earlier legislation is not readily available.