HC Deb 20 May 1980 vol 985 cc242-4
13. Mr. Straw

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the latest unemployment figures, and percentage rates, for the United Kingdom and the North-West of England.

Mr. Jim Lester

At 8 May, the provisional number registered as unemployed and the unemployment rates for the United Kingdom were 1,509,191 and 6.2 per cent., and for the North-West region, 226,274 and 7.9 per cent.

Mr. Straw

Is the Minister aware that, as a result of the Government's policies not a week goes past without an announcement of major closures and redundancies, not only in the textile and footwear industries, but right across the manufacturing heartlands of the the North-West? Will he say by how much more unemployment in the North-West has to rise before the Government change their policy and start to assist industry rather than destroy it?

Mr. Lester

The hon. Gentleman talks about Government policies that mean massive spending. The previous Government doubled unemployment by pursuing just that approach. Unemployment is increasing in the area due to world prices and the overall situation in the economy. It is not due to Government policies.

Dr. Mawhinney

Will my hon. Friend agree that if the attitudes announced by Mr. Basnett yesterday were translated into actions this would substantially increase unemployment in the United Kingdom?

Mr. Lester

There is no question about that. The attitude that we want to see reflected is that of Sir Michael Edwardes, who said in a recent speech that we wanted positive co-operation to produce profitable jobs in British industry.

Mr. James Lamond

When the Minister said a few minutes ago that he understood that the textile industry enjoyed a high level of protection was he aware of the letter sent by Mr. Bob Lloyd-Jones, director-general of the British Textile Employers' Association, to his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister pointing out that the greatest exporting force that the world has ever known—the textile industry—is on the point of extinction? Is he aware that it is nonsense, according to Mr. Bob Lloyd-Jones, for Ministers to stand at the Dispatch Box and say that the industry enjoys any measure of effective protection?

Mr. Lester

The temporary short-time working scheme was kept by my Department particularly because of the needs of the textile industry. The other protection is a matter for the Department of Trade. The hon. Gentleman will know the views that it has put forward. This is a question, as I have said already, of balancing the interests of the home market against the effective exports that the textile industry is able to achieve.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Is my hon. Friend aware that, because of changes in the Government's regional aid policy, many areas of the North-West will not be able to obtain assistance from EEC sources? Will my hon. Friend have a word with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry to see whether a formula can be devised whereby Britain can claim its rightful portion of EEC aid for industry, particularly in the North-West, which is suffering heavy redundancies because of the problems facing the textile and footwear industries?

Mr. Lester

I understand that a system is already devised and that the Department of Industry will consider carefully all changes in the light of changes since the original decisions were made.