HC Deb 04 April 1978 vol 947 cc222-3
5. Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures for the Birmingham travel-to-work area.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. John Grant)

At 9th March, 39,843 people were registered as unemployed in the Birmingham travel-to-work area.

Mr. Rooker

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. It shows a reduction in unemployment in Birmingham of about 3,000 in the last three months. Will he tell the House how many jobs in Birmingham at present are being saved by the Government by the use of the very measures that the hon. Member for Leeds, North-East (Sir K. Joseph) wants to stop immediately as false subsidies?

Mr. Grant

Yes. Our special employment measures have helped well over 9,000 people in the Birmingham area and will be further developed by the new youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme. The temporary employment subsidy has helped nearly 5,500 people. There is clear evidence that the Government have recognised the particular problems of the Birmingham area.

Mr. Eyre

Does the Minister fully realise that a new, frightening unemployment situation has developed in Birmingham particularly affecting the young and those over the age of 50? The recent loss of 600 jobs at the Typhoo Tea factory highlights the contradiction between the Government's regional policy and their inner city area policy. Will the Minister undertake to ensure to review that contradiction and put it right, because it should not be allowed to continue?

Mr. Grant

No, I do not think that there is a contradiction here. I am interested to hear the hon. Gentleman say that the Government should put right what he terms a contradiction. It would be interesting to know how he suggests that we should put it right and what sort of intervention he is asking for.

Mr. George

Can my hon. Friend estimate the number of jobs saved in Birmingham, Walsall and the West Midlands by the Government's commitment to British Leyland—not those directly employed, but the thousands of people in my constituency who are dependent upon British Leyland?

Mr. Grant

The figures in that respect speak for themselves.