HC Deb 22 May 1996 vol 278 c253W
17. Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to increase employment in the west midlands. [29110]

Mr. Forth

The Department's aim is to continue to promote a free and flexible labour market to encourage employment in the west midlands region as elsewhere— a market that during the last three months has supported 20 overseas companies investing in the west midlands, bringing with them £188 million of investment and creating almost 1,300 new jobs.