§ 11. Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many jobs have been created and saved by Government measures in the last 12 months.
§ Mr. BoothAs at 2nd July 1976 the Temporary Employment Subsidy Scheme, first announced on 18th August 1975, had saved 73,000 jobs and the job creation programme of the Manpower Services Commission, first announced on 24th September 1975, had created 20,000 jobs. Further applications are being considered under both schemes covering about 50.000 additional jobs. These are the measures of direct concern to my Department and to the Manpower Services Commission. In addition, many more jobs have been saved or created by government assistance to industry under the Industry Act or through the National Enterprise Board.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI welcome those figures. However, does my right hon. Friend accept that until we get a major economic upturn, there will be a need for his Department to provide selective measures to improve employment? Will he consider the proposal in the TUC "Economic Review" for a job creation subsidy by which employers in areas of higher than national unemployment receive a subsidy if they take on labour?
§ Mr. BoothCertainly, in the light of the figures announced today, I accept that there is a need to consider a wide range of additional alternative measures. We are considering the possibility of aiding particular areas, but my own view is that the level of unemployment is too high in every region and, therefore, I am not inclined as a first preference to go for measures selective as between regions. I prefer to continue the attempt to reduce the level of unemployment in every region.
§ Mr. HendersonDoes the Secretary of State accept that, although these various measures are welcome, they are only a drop in the bucket compared with the appalling unemployment figures, which suggest that the whole position is totally out of control? The Secretary of State and the Minister of State have suggested that new measures are coming forward. When will they come, and will the Secretary of State undertake to announce them before the House rises for the recess?
§ Mr. BoothI know that the hon. Gentleman takes a keen interest in this subject. There are two ways of examining it. Anyone who is involved in schemes that prevent up to 250,000 people from being in the dole queue is not inclined to look at that as a drop in the bucket, but, seen against a background of 1,400,000 unemployed, one can take the view that the measures are inadequate. I hope to make an announcement soon.