§ 21. Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the Government's policy concerning alternative employment opportunities in rural areas.
§ Mr. ForthWe wish to encourage the development of alternative employment opportunities for rural communities. The flexible and locally focussed approach of the training and enterprise councils and, in Scotland. local enterprise companies, will be particularly helpful in responding to the needs of rural areas.
As we made clear in the Environment White Paper, the Government will also continue to work through agencies such as the Rural Development Commission to promote enterprise and economic diversity in a lively and prosperous countryside.