Employment Zones (Hansard, 6 November 1997)

HC Deb 06 November 1997 vol 300 cc307-8W 308W

§ Mrs. Humble
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made on introducing prototype employment zones; and if he will make a statement. [14422]

§ Mr. Alan Howarth
On 15 September we published a prospectus and invited eight areas to bid to become prototype Employment Zones. All eight areas submitted outline bids on 6 October which were very encouraging. Final bids are due on 17 November and we expect to announce the successful partnerships in early December with the prototype Employment Zones starting in February 1998.