26. Mr. GwilymRoberts asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will study the increasing unemployment gap between the Cannock Chase area and the West Midlands conurbation, with a view to providing special help for growth areas on the borders of conurbations where unemployment is particularly high.
§ Mr. Jim LesterAs I told the hon. Member in my reply on 29 October, the Government are very much aware of the unemployment problems of areas such as the Cannock Chase which are situated on the borders of major conurbations. A substantial improvement in the employment situation in the area, however, and indeed in other parts of the country depends to a large extent on an upturn in world trade. It is essential, however, that to take advantage of this our industry must be at least as efficient as that of our competitors, and this is one of the principal aims of government policy. In the meantime, our programme of special employment and training measures will continue to help people in the Cannock Chase area.—[Vol. 999, c.276–7.]