§ Mr. David Huntasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, if he was aware of the 15.3 per cent. unemployment rate in Neston when he proposed a modification to the Cheshire county structure plan by includng the words, "provisions will not normally be made for significant additional employment opportunities in the town of Neston".
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§ Mr. Guy BarnettAt the time he published his proposed modifications the Secretary of State was aware of an unemployment rate of 10.9 per cent. for the Birkenhead travel-to-work area, which includes Neston. His view is that unemployment rates relating to areas smaller than travel-to-work areas are likely to be misleading.
In his statement of reasons for this proposed modification the Secretary of State expresses the view that significant industrial or commercial development in such commuter towns would lead to yet further demand for residential development in them, thereby exacerbating the current housing and employment problems in the towns themselves and in the neighbouring conurbations.
The Secretary of State will consider all objections to the proposed modifications before he makes a final decision on the structure plan.