§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the level of unemployment in the Coventry travel-to-work area by comparison to that of assisted areas; and what steps are being considered to adjust the levels of assistance.
§ Mr. GoldingAt July 1978 the unemployment rate in the Coventry travel-to-work area was 7.3 per cent.; at the same date the average rate for the Assisted Areas of Great Britain was 8.3 per cent. No further steps are currently being considered to adjust the levels of assistance of the special employment measures introduced by my Department to reduce the impact of the world recession on unemployment.
Coventry has received particular assistance through these measures, which have so far helped over 6,000 people in the area, and this assistance will be further developed through the implementation of the youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme.
Coventry has also benefited substantially from the help given by the Government under section 8 of the Industry Act, with offers of £3.2 million for 22 projects in the area. The assistance provided by the Government to British Leyland and Chrysler UK has done much to secure employment in Coventry.