§ 23. Mr. Sheldonasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what estimate he has made of the level of unemployment at the end of the year.
§ The Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity (Mr. Robert Carr)It is not possible to give a meaningful estimate of the level of unemployment at some future date.
§ Mr. SheldonWill the right hon. Gentleman accept that, although it must be his first priority to reduce the total level of unemployment, one of the successes of the previous Government was the reduction in the disparity of employment opportunities between the regions? Will he give an assurance that he will not permit the present Government to reduce the amount of regional assistance?
§ Mr. CarrEveryone must be his own judge of facts, but when I consider the drop in employment in all the regions as well as in the country as a whole, I should not think that that was a part of the last Administration's policy of which they would be most proud. The hon. Member speaks of disparity. I do not imagine that it is much joy to people in Scotland, Wales or the North to know that some people in other parts of the country are suffering as much, or a little bit nearer as much, as they are; but of course it is of immense importance to raise employment opportunities in the development areas.
§ Mr. CrouchMay I remind my right hon. Friend that it is not only the national and regional figures that concern me but the area figure within the region, and that in north-east Kent the unemployment rate is up to 6.5 per cent., with no help being given.
§ Mr. CarrI agree with my hon. Friend that one must look at the micro pattern as well as the macro pattern.