HC Deb 05 April 1973 vol 854 cc587-9
1. Mr. Stallard

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions concerning the need to embark upon an expensive public development programme to provide jobs in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. William van Straubenzee)

Ministers have had frequent discussions with the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions about the unemployment problem in Northern Ireland during which the committee has given its views about the need for a public development programme. The Government have already announced their intention to establish by Order in Council a statutory direct labour organisation called "Enterprise Ulster" concerned mainly with works of environmental improvement.

Mr. Stallard

I thank the Minister for that constructive reply and congratulate him on the progress he has made so far, but I still feel that that part of the White Paper dealing with economic aid lacks the kind of urgency that I would have hoped it would have. Will he consider urgently the possibility of including, as part of this public works programme, a target of 5,000 jobs to be achieved, say, within the next two years in the special and deprived areas? If he could fix some kind of target along the lines of my suggestion—and I know that the Trades Union Congress in Northern Ireland has also suggested 5,000—it might relieve some of the pressure.

Mr. van Straubenzee

On the second part of the hon. Member's question, he will, I know, appreciate that, quite rightly, a considerable sum—£15 million —has been set aside over the next five years for the "Enterprise Ulster" project, and we have considerable hopes of it in terms of employment prospects. On the first part of his question, I hope that he will study the economic sections of the White Paper. They may be short but, as my hon. Friend the Minister of State said on the first day of our debate, they contain definite commitments which are of great importance to Northern Ireland.

2 Mr. Orme

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to deal with male unemployment in provincial areas of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

8 Mr. Duffy

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress he has made in creating new job opportunities in Northern Ireland.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Since last July unemployment in Northern Ireland has fallen by over 10,000, to about 34,600 in March 1973. This is a very significant improvement. In part it is the result of measures introduced to deal with special features of the situation coupled with Government policies which have brought about a more favourable employment trend throughout the United Kingdom.

Mr. Orme

I thank the Minister for that reply. We welcome the reduction. Is the hon. Gentleman aware, however, that many cases have been brought to our attention relating to people, particularly in areas west of the River Bann, who are finding it exceedingly difficult to get employment? They have had their names down for three or four years for what in this country would be classified as very ordinary jobs. This unemployment is at the root of many of the problems that exist in Northern Ireland. Will the hon. Gentleman give us information about any further plans that the Government have in this regard?

Mr. van Straubenzee

Both my hon. Friend and I would be most willing to examine any specific case that the hon. Member might have in mind, because we share his concern about the economic wellbeing of Northern Ireland. Many of the successes which lie beneath the figures that he has been good enough to welcome stem from the package of last July—and before—and it is along those lines that we should work.