§ 29. Mr. Radiceasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the level of unemployment in the Northern region.
§ Mr. Jim LesterNo. The level of unemployment in the Northern region remains much too high. The Government recognise that certain parts of the country, such as the North-East, require special help to overcome their particular unemployment problems, and regional policies have been implemented which are designed to provide this help. In the longer term, the economic future of the North depends upon a general improvement in the industrial performance of the country as a whole. This is one of the main aims of the Government's policies.