asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many males, females and juveniles are unemployed in the Chester-le-Street constituency area at the latest available date; and what proposals he has for bringing further employment opportunities to the area.

At 10th January, in the area covered by the Chester-le-Street, Birtley and Washington Employment Exchanges, which is similar to the Chester-le-Street constituency, 2,251 people (1,794 men, 154 boys, 230 women, and 73 girls) were registered as unemployed. The whole of the Chester-le-Street constituency has special development area status. It should therefore benefit from the extensive measures we have introduced to encourage industrial expansion in those areas and in the country as a whole. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will continue to draw the attention of suitable firms to the advantages of expansion in the area.