HC Deb 31 January 1967 vol 740 cc224-5
10. Mr. McMaster

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the percentage of all classes of Government contracts awarded to firms in Northern Ireland so that steps may be taken where possible to increase the percentage and rate of allocation of such work in order to stem the present alarming rise in unemployment.

Mr. Diamond

Firms in Northern Ireland, together with those in development areas in Great Britain, are already treated preferentially when Government contracts are awarded.

Mr. McMaster

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the recent very sharp rise of unemployment in Northern Ireland and of the anxieties in both new industries and in traditional industries, such as shipbuilding, due to Government restrictions and uncertainty? Will he take steps to see that the unemployment in Northern Ireland, which is higher than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, does not rise further sharply?

Mr. Diamond

I am aware of the circumstances and of the anxieties which exist. No one is less complacent about the situation than I. Nevertheless, I am sure that the iron Gentleman will want to know that the figures of unemployment in Northern Ireland in 1965 and 1966 were the lowest for the past 10 years.

Mr. McNamara

What steps is the Stormont Parliament taking to deal with the situation? Will my right hon. Friend guarantee that no Government contracts wil be awarded to any firms in Northern Ireland which employ any sort of political or religious discrimination in employment practices?

Mr. Diamond

My hon. Friend is quite right in drawing attention to the fact that the prime responsibility rests with the Northern Ireland Government. As to the latter part of his supplementary question, my right hon Friend has already indicated the way the Government think on these matters.

Mr. Chichester-Clark

Leaving aside the irrelevance of the last supplementary question, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a very serious situation could arise and that the unemployment rate might well rise next month to about 9 per cent.?

Mr. Diamond

Of course I have these problems very much in mind and realise that a serious situation could arise. But the Government are giving this continual thought in regard to both the new and traditional industries, mentioned by the hon. Member for Belfast, East (Mr. McMaster). But I would be the last to agree that it is irrelevant to have regard to the Northern Ireland Government's prime responsibility for unemployment.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the economic policy of the United Kingdom rests with the Westminster Government? Is he also aware that the unemployment figure today in Northern Ireland is 8 per cent.?

Mr. Diamond

No one is unaware of our responsibilities, and I thought that had already indicated—perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman did not hear—that the average monthly figure for unemployment of 31.2 thousand during 1966 was the lowest figure, bar 1965, for the last 10 years.

Mr. McMaster

I beg to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.