§ 1. Mr. Sydney Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total percentage of unemployed in the Birmingham travel-to-work area in April, May and June, 1972, respectively.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Dudley Smith)The figures for April, May and June were 4.9, 4.7 and 4.1 per cent., respectively.
§ Mr. ChapmanWhile appreciating that is obviously a trend in the right direction, without in any way being complacent about the high unemployment figures which still exist, may I ask whether my hon. Friend has seen the reports in this morning's newspapers that the demand for cars on the home market has rocketed by nearly 50 per cent.? Does he agree that since the motor industry is the precursor for the rest of industry in this country, provided that we can keep stable prices the outlook for productivity and employment prospects in the whole country should be very good?
§ Mr. SmithYes, Sir. I happened to be in Birmingham on Friday and discovered there was a reasonable degree of optimism there. My hon. Friend is right that provided we can keep prices stable and have good industrial relations, the economy will improve.
§ Mr. Denis HowellIs the hon. Gentle man aware that if he found a reasonable degree of optimism in this marginal decrease of unemployment in the summer months, he must have been moving in remarkable circles in Birmingham? I[...] it not a fact that the overriding consideration at the moment for Birmingham is that the unemployment record is going up at the same time as we have had record production of motor cars, and it is that fact which is causing grave concern to everybody in the city?
§ Mr. SmithNo, Sir. I do not share the hon. Gentleman's pessimism. The position in Birmingham has improved over the last year and I can see no reason why it should not go on improving because, as my hon. Friend has reminded the House, Birmingham is particularly well placed to spring forward as the economic situation improves.