HC Deb 22 April 1980 vol 983 cc209-11
13. Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployment in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Prior

At 10 April the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the United Kingdom was 1,522,921.

Mr. Evans

Is the Secretary of State aware that the figures he has announced today are further proof that the Tory Party election manifesto was a tissue of lies? Is he also aware that fear is increasing in many regions of the country over the rising tide of unemployment? Is it not time that the right hon. Gentleman, as Secretary of State for Employment, exerted himself in Cabinet and made it clear to his colleagues that their policies will lead this country into further disaster?

Mr. Prior

No, Sir. We never in any way misled the country as to the likely difficulties of getting down the level of unemployment. That was in stark contrast to the Labour manifesto, and slogan of 1974 which was "Back to Work with Labour". Their policy resulted in a doubling of the employment figures.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Will my right hon. Friend tell the House when he intends to urge upon his Cabinet colleagues the taking of steps that will prevent the undermining of the industrial base of this country? When will my right hon. Friend make representations that will bring about some action from the Government in order to provide fair competition for the textile industry which is now suffering at least one mill closure every week? That is something which I am not prepared to tolerate any longer.

Mr. Prior

The textile industry, along with a number of other industries is going through a difficult period of recession. However, I do not believe that, as a nation, we shall get out of our difficulties by controlling imports at a time when Britain's paramount need is to export more goods and to export them more competitively.

Mr. Heffer

In view of the speech made by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury at the weekend—and underlined in a radio programme at Sunday lunchtime—which clearly indicates that the right hon. Gentleman is not happy with Government policy, even though he is a non-interventionist, will the right hon. Gentleman say what he is doing, in discussion with the Prime Minister to change Government policy? If Government policies are not to be changed when will the right hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friends get rid of the Prime Minister?

Mr. Prior

I have no doubt that the hon. Gentleman will choose an oportunity of questioning my right hon. Friend. As I understand it, my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary said that not only do we have to take account of the effect of the increase in the money supply but that we also have to recognise that trading and human factors also contribute. That is something that the Government take very much to heart.