HC Deb 15 January 1976 vol 903 c233W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, in view of the fact that unemployment in Ormskirk is more than double that of the national average, he will include Ormskirk in the Merseyside Special Development Area.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

Unemployment rates for Ormskirk are based on the travel-to-work area including Skelmersdale New Town which is already a special development area. I recognise that the level of employment in the part outside the special development area is serious, but I am not convinced that the situation there justifies a change of status, or that it would be consistent with the objectives of our regional policy to make such an extension to the SDAs at this time.