§ Q2. Mr. Carterasked the Prime Minister if he will reduce the number of Junior Ministers at the Department of Trade and Industry by two.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. The number in the Department and in the Ministry of Aviation Supply is already four fewer than in the Ministry of Technology and the Board of Trade under the previous Administration.
§ Mr. CarterI thank the Prime Minister for that reply. Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that urgent changes in both the personnel and the policies of the Department of Trade and Industry are required immediately to bring about a rapid reduction in the staggering number of unemployed in the country, and in particular the record number of unemployed in Birmingham, which is the highest since 1940?
§ The Prime MinisterThe policies being pursued by the Government in the sphere of trade and industry can be discussed later today.
On the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary, the rise in unemployment is regrettable, but, as we have constantly pointed out, it is the consequence of wage-cost inflation making itself felt in industry as employers and those who find themselves priced out of markets try to protect themselves.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanDoes my right hon. Friend agree that one of the additional burdens on the Department is clearing up the problems left by the incompetence of the last Administration, particularly the former Minister of Technology?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a burden which every Department in Government today has to bear.
§ Mr. William PriceIs the Prime Minister aware that some of us on this side of the House regard my hon. Friend's Question as quite outrageous because it is wrong to pick out any two Ministers in that way? Is not the only just solution to sack the lot?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that the hon. Gentleman was picking on any two Ministers. He was trying to make the point that, with rising unemployment, one must face the real cause which, as I have just decribed, is wage-cost inflation.