asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to mitigate the loss of opportunities for work which will result from recently announced pit closures.

The Board of Trade will continue to make full use of the powers available under the Local Employment Act to steer new industry to areas affected by pit closures and to assist industrial expansion in those which are development districts. My right hon. Friend is also prepared to add to the list of development districts any area in which high and persistent unemployment exists or is to be expected.