asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if, in the light of the decline of many of the traditional industries in the area, he will grant assisted area status to the newly formed Wakefield and Dewsbury travel-to-work area; and if he will make a statement.

No. The assisted areas map was revised just over two years ago and on the basis of the objective criteria then used the Wakefield and Dewsbury travel-to-work area did not qualify for assisted area status. As I explained in a recent answer to my hon. Friend the Member for South Ribble (Mr. Atkins) on Tuesday 17 February at columns 526–27, I believe that to alter the map at this time would be to undermine the stability needed by firms in making sensible investment decisions.