asked the Secretary of State for Industry if, because of increasing unemployment in the Skelmersdale New Town, he will consider giving extra financial inducements to industrialists over and above the existing level of grant aid, to encourage them to come to the new town; and if he will make a statement.

Skelmersdale New Town as part of the Merseyside special development area already qualifies for the highest rate of regional development grant. In addition there are wide powers under Part II of the Industry Act to provide selective assistance, and these will be used to the full to help the creation of new jobs at Skelmersdale.