§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many textile mills have had to close in the Huddersfield area during the past two years; and what is being done to attract new industries.
Mr. Alan WilliamsSince 1st January 1976, the Department of Employment has been notified of five closure in the textile industry in the Huddersfield area,308W where however, unemployment is fortunately below the national average.
Huddersfield is in the Yorkshire and Humberside Intermediate Area and firms investing in the area can qualify for regional development grants for new buildings and works and adaptations, and regional selection assistance under Section 7 of the Industry Act 1972.
Since the inception of the Industry Act 1972, offers of regional selective assistance amounting to 1.1 million have been made for 27 projects, costing £12.8 million, in the Huddersfield employment exchange area which it is estimated will create 1,100 new jobs and safeguard a further 290. In addition, during the last two years 10 industrial development certificates have been approved for construction projects totalling some 0.4 million sq. ft. which, it is estimated, will result in some 200–180 male—jobs.