§ Mr. Parkasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will now consider granting development area status to the West Midlands.
§ Mr. MacGregorWhile I am concerned at the level of unemployment in the West Midlands, the region is better placed for economic and industrial development than other parts of the country which have suffered very high rates of unemployment and structural decline for many years. The Government's policy is to focus assistance on such areas and there are no special factors which would make development area status appropriate for the West Midlands.