§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will take steps to reduce the number of people who are unemployed in North Staffordshire.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieThe Government are very concerned to do what they can, in the present difficult circumstances, to provide more jobs. My right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his Budget Statement the provisional allocation of a further £100 million for the country as a whole, to encourage industrial development and modernisation. The level of unemployment in North Staffordshire remains well below the national average.