HC Deb 12 June 1973 vol 857 cc1177-9
3. Mr. Horam

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the percentage unemployed—seasonally adjusted and excluding school leavers and adult students—in the Northern Region and Great Britain in April 1970 and April 1973.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Dudley Smith)

In the Northern Region the unemployment percentages were 4.6 per cent. in April 1970 and 4.8 per cent. in April 1973. In Great Britain the figures were 2.5 per cent. in April 1970 and 2.7 per cent. in April 1973.

Mr. Horam

Do not these figures bear out with almost clinical precision the argument made repeatedly from the Opposition benches yesterday that there has been no relative improvement in the employment position in the Northern Region by comparison with the rest of the country? Does the Minister seriously believe that there will be an improvement within the life of this Parliament if the Government continue their present policies?

Mr. Smith

Yes, I think that there will be an improvement. The hon. Gentleman is unfair. The important thing is to reduce unemployment, in whatever part of the country. Unemployment in the Northern Region has fallen considerably. In March last year the seasonally adjusted rate was 6.3 per cent., compared with 4.7 per cent. now. On Tyneside, which includes the hon. Gentleman's constituency, unemployment has fallen by more than 5,000 in the last 12 months.

Mr. R. W. Elliott

Will my hon. Friend take due note that in the Northern Region it is fully appreciated that six-and-a-half years of Labour stagnation of the economy with rapidly rising unemployment cannot be overcome overnight? Does he agree that job vacancies would be a much better yardstick, and will he give us an idea of them?

Mr. Smith

Yes, my hon. Friend is right; job vacancies are by far the best yardstick available. The number of vacancies has more than doubled in the past year, and there are two and a half times as many vacancies for male employees as there were in May 1972. There are now more than 5,000 more unfilled vacancies in the Northern Region than there were in April 1970 when the Labour Party was in power.

Mr. Dormand

Will the Minister point out to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science the inadequacy of maintenance allowances? More children in the South than in the North are remaining at school after reaching school leaving age. A great contribution would be made if the Secretary of State ensured that the maintenance allowances were sufficient to meet the needs of children who stay on longer at school.

Mr. Smith

The hon. Gentleman knows that that is not a matter for me. While I do not necessarily accept what he says, I will bring it to the attention of my right hon. Friend.