§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he proposes to give any extra incentives to increase employment in Cheshire in the light of the demise of the Warrington-Runcorn new town development corporation.
§ Mr. EggarThe Warrington and Runcorn development corporation was wound up by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment because he was satisfied that it had substantially completed the purposes for which it was established.
The Widnes and Runcorn travel-to-work area has assisted area status. This Department operates a wide range of employment, enterprise and training measures, which are available in Cheshire as well as elsewhere. I do not believe that the winding up of the corporation is a reason to introduce further measures to create employment opportunities in this area. In the year to October 1989, unemployment in the county of Cheshire fell by 8,656 (26.6 per cent.) and the rate of unemployment is currently 5.3 per cent. of the total work force.