asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress is being made to attract new industry to the Ashington-Morpeth area of Northumberland; how many jobs are envisaged; and whether he will make a statement.

Unemployment in both the Ashington and the Morpeth Employment Exchange Areas is slightly below the national average and more than 400 jobs are in prospect. I should not therefore be justified in making special efforts to attract new industry to the area. But I shall keep the situation in this part of Northumberland under review.