HC Deb 15 December 1981 vol 15 c144
12. Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will consider the introduction of further employment support measures so as to increase the number of employment opportunities in West Cumbria.

Mr. Waddington

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in her announcement on 27 July gave details of a package of measures to assist the unemployed. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment will later this afternoon provide the House with further information about special measures for next year and beyond.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Does the Minister realise that my constituents and the constituents of other hon. Members representing Cumbria are desperate for work? Is he aware that they are tired, weary and fed up with parliamentary written and oral replies that suggest that they must wait until the Government have resolved the problems of inflation in the economy? Will he press his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to go to the Cabinet and support calls for a selective programme of regional public expenditure projects that will put our constituents back to work, because that is where they want to be?

Mr. Waddington

Everyone realises that the problem in West Cumbria is extremely serious. Only a fool would fail to take measures to get rid of unemployment tomorrow if such measure were ready to hand. The truth, as the Labour Administration found, is that there are no simple answers to these problems. At last, as a result of the measures that have been taken by the Government, there are signs of recovery. There is an improvement in competitiveness, manufacturing output has increased, short-time working has decreased and overtime has increased.

Mr. Radice

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that one of the roles of the Secretary of State for Employment is to argue inside the Cabinet for a stronger regional policy? Is the Secretary of State doing that?

Mr. Waddington

My right hon. Friend is performing his proper duty, which is to support policies which will revive the economy and provide real jobs.