§ 39. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the present level of unemployment in the West Midlands.
§ Mr. Jim LesterNo. The dependence of the West Midlands on manufacturing industries has been its strength in the past; regrettably, however, these industries have been severely affected over the last five years. The Government's policies are designed to achieve a new climate favourable to industry and commerce;128W this will do more than anything to revitalise the West Midlands economy and so reduce the level of unemployment, provided we get a positive and wholehearted response from managements and work forces.