§ Mr. Fitchasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any proposals for reducing the high rate of unemployment in the Wigan area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantWigan was given intermediate area status as recently as March 1972. Since then unemployment has fallen and the number of vacancies has risen and I expect this to continue as a result both of measures available under the Industry Act and as a result of the growth of the economy as a whole.