§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures in the Hartlepool exchange area; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Dudley SmithAt 10th January the number of people registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Hartlepool and Hartlepool Headland employment exchanges was 4,248, including 52 who were temporarily stopped. I recognise that unemployment is running at an unacceptably high rate. We have taken massive measures to get the economy moving and to reduce unemployment and I am confident that the Hartlepools, which is part of a special development area, will benefit as these measures take effect.