§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give an assurance that a further review of policies and priorities will be undertaken in the Yorkshire and Humberside Region in the light of the individual structure plans' findings when these become available.
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§ Mr. Guy Barnett:Guidelines for structure plan authorities on the policies and priorities for the Yorkshire and Humberside Region are set out in the regional strategy. This will be monitored to take account of any new evidence, but a further full review of the strategy should not be necessary for the next few years.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is aware that the Yorkshire and Humberside Economic Planning Council has painted an unrealistic picture of the needs of the region ; and if he will make a statement on his policy towards the regions needs.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:The Economic Planning Council took into account the needs of the region in preparing the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Strategy Reviews 1975—" The Next Ten Years ". The Government's response, which my right hon. Friend published on 9th May 1977, broadly endorsed the priorities it proposed for the region.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the fact that for the period up to 1986 the South Yorkshire County Council estimates a net shortfall of 30,000 jobs, and that in the West Yorkshire County Council area it is anticipated there will be an increase in unemployment, with a shortfall of 80,000 and 100,000 jobs, he will take steps to remedy this.
§ Mr. Golding:I have been asked to reply.
The draft structure plans of the South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire County Councils, which contain the estimates to which my hon. Friend refers, are currently the subject of discussions between the local authorities and the regional offices of central Government Departments, including my own, and they will in due course be considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment. However, the current figures of 35,500 unemployed in South Yorkshire and 52,500 unemployed in West Yorkshire indicate the employment problems of these counties. The Government are, therefore, very aware of the need for more employment opportunities in South and West Yorkshire. Both counties have benefited from their status as intermediate areas and should continue to do 237W so; in addition my Department's special employment measures have helped 13,000 people in South Yorkshire and 30,000 people in West Yorkshire.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider granting development area status to the West Yorkshire area and to the Kirklees area in particular.
§ Mr. Cryer:I have been asked to reply.
The Government do not consider that development area status either for West Yorkshire generally or for the Kirklees area in particular would be justified at the present time.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the use of removal grants to cover cases in West Yorkshire where benefits accrue to the relocating firm and its neighbours.
§ Mr. Cryer:I have been asked to reply.
Removal grants are available under section 7 of the Industry Act 1972 for companies wishing to move from outside the assisted areas to any assisted area location including West Yorkshire.