HC Deb 29 July 1980 vol 989 cc1276-7
12. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will establish an urgent inquiry into the link between unemployment and heart diseases, mental stress, suicides and other health problems with particular reference to those areas in the country where unemployment has been, and is, of a very high and long lasting nature.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

My Department is already involved in studies of health and the unemployed, including questions of their interrelation. We are also cooperating with outside researchers on a study of long-term unemployment and mortality.

Mr. Skinner

Is the Minister aware that in the United States and this country links have been established among the problems of mental stress, suicides and high unemployment in various areas? Is he further aware that recently the Northamptonshire county council's social services department drew up a report which shows such a link and that in the Northamptonshire area health authority another report is circulating showing that unemployment creates morbidity and increases mortality rates? Therefore, will he stop cutting public expenditure on social services, hospitals and unemployment to ensure that he does not make the position even worse?

Mr. Jenkin

We are aware of the research being done by Professor Brenner and by the department of applied economics at Cambridge, though some has not yet been published. There is as yet no published work which establishes with any certainty a causative link between unemployment and ill health. If the hon. Gentleman has such evidence, I hope that he will send it to me.

Mr. Ashley

Is the Minister aware that it is nonsense to challenge the assertion by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner)? Battered wives are also suffering. Would the right hon. Gentleman have given a more sympathetic response if stockbrokers and landowners were affected?

Mr. Jenkin

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's difficulties. I said that we were carrying out research and I asked his hon. Friend if he had any further information.

Mr. Ashley

Research is not necessary. We want action.

Mr. Jenkin

The hon. Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) quoted the results of research in his area.

Mr. Ashley

Answer the question.

Mr. Orme

My hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner) mentioned a report by Dr. Neville relating to the Northamptonshire area health authority. We understand that the report has been presented but has not yet been made public. This is of public importance. Will the Secretary of State take steps to have that report published?

Mr. Jenkin

I have not seen the report. When I do, I shall certainly consider whether it merits publication. I understand the anxieties of the House on this subject and I am anxious to be helpful. The right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) referred to battered wives and the NSPCC has talked about child abuse, but many other examples of those social ills have nothing to do with unemployment.