§ 12. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the increase in numbers of unemployed persons in Consett and Stanley over the last month.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be delighted to hear that between 13 September and 11 October the number of people registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Consett and Stanley employment office fell by 151.
§ Mr. WatkinsIn that case, will the hon. Gentleman tell the House what has happened to the 390 people who were recently made redundant by the shutdown of the plate mill at the Consett steelworks? Will he tell us how many of the additional unemployed for whom the Government are planning, as announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury last Thursday, will be in Consett and Stanley?
§ Mr. LesterThere is no way, in terms of planning, that we can forecast where unemployment is likely to fall. All that I can provide you with is the accurate figures of what has occurred in your constituency over the last month, which is what you asked for.
§ Mr. SpeakerI did not ask for anything.