asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the employment prospects in the Northern region.

The Northern region continues to suffer from the decline of its traditional industries and all Government measures apply to assist in overcoming this structural problem. Over the last 20 years there has been some success in creating a wider industrial base. But in the Northern region, as elsewhere, real jobs can be created only by a successful partnership between Government measures and the energies and efforts of management and workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the employment prospects for the Northern region during the next 12 months.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier to the hon. Member for Derby, North (Mr. Whitehead). This applies equally to the Northern region.