asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the estimated cost of designating the Stoke-on-Trent travel-to-work area as an assisted area in total and per capita.

It is not practicable to provide reliable estimates of this kind for individual travel-to-work areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will now reconsider the application of Stoke-on-Trent for designation of the travel-to-work area as an assisted area.

Decisions on the new assisted areas map were on the basis not only of the current need for further employment opportunities but also of areas' relative vulnerability to future job losses and their relative abilities to respond to an upturn in the economy. The new map is therefore expected to remain valid for some time, though I will naturally keep the situation under review.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will hold further discussions with representatives of Stoke-on-Trent regarding their application for the travel-to-work area to be designated.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to hold further discussions with the representatives of Stoke-on-Trent regarding their application for the travel-to-work area to be designated as an assisted area.