HC Deb 26 January 1976 vol 904 c95W
32. Mr. Radice

asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will make a statement on the effectiveness of regional policy in the Northern Region.

Mr. Gregor Mackenzie

Without our regional policies the position of the Northern Region would be much worse. Every manufacturing company there which invests in buildings, plant or machinery can get a regional development grant. Many get selective financial assistance as well. Every manufacturer gets REP. Unemployment in the region is far too high, but it has been rising more slowly in the Northern Region than in the country as a whole.