Regional Policy

25.

Mr. Gordon Wilson
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will make a statement on current Government regional policy.

Mr. David Mitchell
The Government intend to continue with the more selective, and hence more effective, regional industrial policy which my right hon. Friend announced in July. It will concentrate on those parts of the country  with the most severe problems of persistently high unemployment and structural weakness.

Mr. Ray Powell
asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will now change his regional aid policy, as it affects the Ogmore constituency area, due to the number of steelworkers who will be declared redundant and subsequently the coal miners and other workers living within the area.

Mr. David Mitchell
We will be considering possible remedial measures to counter the impact of steel closures.