Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 12 December 2007 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: Next year, a national centre for plastic electronics will open in my constituency with the help of Government investment. The technology will help lead the next generation of computers, and by 2015 it will be a £16 billion industry. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Government’s belief in the talents of our people will ensure that we will not return to the dark days of the Tories, when there was 40 per cent. unemployment in my constituency?

Answer: I applaud my hon. Friend for fighting for jobs for his constituency. Science investment will treble over a 15-year period, and that will mean that there will be more jobs in science in all the constituencies of the country. He will be pleased to note today that the employment figures say that employment in Britain is now at 29.4 million—the highest ever recorded in our history, and the result of the fact that we have a Labour Government.

Secondary information