§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps his Department has taken, since May 1979, in order to reduce rural unemployment.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI have been asked to reply.
It is the Government's policy to produce the conditions in 'which industry and commerce can become more 196W competitive and produce the goods and services which people both at home and abroad want to buy at prices they are prepared to pay. Only in this way will firms be able to create the new jobs that are needed in all parts of the country.
The Government also seek to help the rural economy through the work of the Development Commission. The commission can provide small factory units, advice and loans to small businesses—through its Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas—and support for agriculture, forestry, rural roads, harbours, inland waterways and fisheries. Responsibilities similar to those of the Development Commission are borne in Scotland and Wales by the Scottish and Welsh Development Agencies.
In addition, people in rural areas benefit from the Government's special measures to alleviate unemployment, which operate throughout the country. More than £1.1 billion has been committed to these measures in this financial year. Rural unemployment is being reduced by schemes such as the youth opportunities programme, community enterprise programme and the temporary short-time working compensation scheme.