§ Q55. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on the level of unemployment in Lanarkshire.
§ The Prime MinisterOn 10 February 1983 the number of unemployed claimants in the Lanark and North Lanarkshire travel-to-work areas were 2,600 and 31,699 respectively; and the corresponding unemployment percentage rates were 19.2 per cent. and 20.3 per cent.
The continuing high level of unemployment in Lanarkshire is a cause for concern. As part of a special development area, Lanarkshire benefits from the highest levels of Government assistance to industry and we have made substantial sums available to encourage viable firms. But the best means of improving employment prospects in Lanarkshire as elsewhere lies in the success of our efforts to control inflation and restore the competitiveness of British industry.