§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what action she plans to take to increase 689W employment opportunities in engineering in the west midlands. [10324]
§ Mrs. Beckett[holding answer 24 July 1997]: A key factor in increasing employment opportunities in the west midlands, as elsewhere, is a stable, long-term economic framework in which business can plan ahead. That is what my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has already begun to provide. I also expect the consultation process I have launched with business as part of the Competitiveness UK initiative to help identify a range of ways in which engineering and other manufacturing business can improve their competitiveness for instance in the area of innovation, exports and the supply chain. The Government office for the west midlands will be participating fully in this with local partners.