North-West Region (Hansard, 29 January 1976)

§ Mr. Rose
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will take immediate steps to stimulate investment and 339W industrial activity in the North-West to initiate new projects and cut unemployment.

§ Mr. Gregor Mackenzie
The whole of the North-West is an assisted area. The region's problems are at their most acute in Merseyside which was made a special development area in August 1974.
We shall not hesitate to take whatever action is feasible. We have already made considerable sums of money available to stimulate new investment in 1976, and in addition there is a new Government advance factory building programme from which the North-West will benefit substantially. Furthermore my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced on 14th January that a further £30 million would be made available to encourage new investment.

§ Mr. Tebbit
asked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has agreed the corporate plan for the financial years ending in 1976, 1977 and 1978 in respect of the activities of the Post Office; and, if so, what targets he has set.

§ Mr. Gregor Mackenzie
Under the Post Office Act 1969 I am not required to approve the Post Office's corporate plans or to set targets in relation to them. The long-term plans of the Post Office businesses do however provide a valuable perspective for the annual investment review and for consultation with the Post Office on matters of broad policy.

§ Mr. Tebbit
asked the Secretary of State for Industry what are the latest estimated trading results for the current year for the Post Office.

TABLE 1

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATED TO ARISE FROM PROJECTS OFFERED ASSISTANCE UNDER THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ACTS

('000s)

Development Areas

Financial Year Northern Mersey-side South Western Total England^* Welsh Scottish IAs Total

1966–67 … 24 11 2 37 13 36 — 86

1967–68 … 19 8 2 29 14 25 — 67

1968–69 … 26 9 3 38 15 23 Nil 75

1969–70 … 34 14 3 50 18 27 1 97

1970–71 … 23 9 3 35 13 25 10 83

1971–72 … 12 7 3 22 9 17 14 62

1972–73 … 13 5 2 20 10 20 11 61

1973–74 … 5 1 † 6 5 10 4 24

1974–75 … 3 1 † 4 7 5 2 18

The totals have been rounded and do not necessarily add up.

^* Including assistance offered in the former Development Districts; Coverage of area has varied over time. Intermediate areas were instituted in 1970.

†Less than 500.

340W

§ Mr. Gregor Mackenzie
On the basis of the latest estimates, the trading situation of the Post Office for 1975–76 remains substantially as I explained it in my reply to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. King) in November.

TABLE 1
ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT ESTIMATED TO ARISE FROM PROJECTS OFFERED ASSISTANCE UNDER THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT ACTS
('000s)
Development Areas
Financial Year	Northern	Mersey-side	South Western	Total England^*	Welsh	Scottish	IAs	Total
1966–67	…	24	11	2	37	13	36	—	86
1967–68	…	19	8	2	29	14	25	—	67
1968–69	…	26	9	3	38	15	23	Nil	75
1969–70	…	34	14	3	50	18	27	1	97
1970–71	…	23	9	3	35	13	25	10	83
1971–72	…	12	7	3	22	9	17	14	62
1972–73	…	13	5	2	20	10	20	11	61
1973–74	…	5	1	†	6	5	10	4	24
1974–75	…	3	1	†	4	7	5	2	18
The totals have been rounded and do not necessarily add up.
^* Including assistance offered in the former Development Districts; Coverage of area has varied over time. Intermediate areas were instituted in 1970.
†Less than 500.