HC Deb 30 March 1981 vol 2 cc2-4
2. Mr. Barry Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the latest number of unemployed in Wales expressed both as a percentage and as a total; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Michael Roberts)

On 12 March 1981 there were 146,781 unemployed in Wales, a rate of 13.6 per cent.

Mr. Jones

Does not those objectionable figures dramatically support the 364 university economists—including 76 professors—who say that the Government are mishandling the economy of our country? Does the Minister know that in my constituency, after 8,000 steel job losses in a year, 380 textile workers are soon to be thrown on the scrap-heap? Where are the new jobs coming from for my very angry and disillusioned constituents?

Mr. Roberts

This morning I took note of the 350 or so economists who signed their own "early-day motion". I also listened to one of them on the radio. I understand that he was an adviser to the Labour Government. Perhaps that is not a particularly good qualification. I am aware of the 250 additional redundancies at the Courtaulds Greenfield works. On 9 March work recommenced on a modernisation project. I am sure that all hon. Members hope that a slimline textile works will give the industry a better future.

Sir Anthony Meyer

Will my hon. Friend ponder carefully the implications of the loss of 380 jobs at the Courtaulds Greenfield mill? Will he reflect that it is part of the process of modernisation? Can my hon. Friend envisage any way of avoiding the continuation of such a process if industry is to recover its competitiveness and thus provide the wealth to finance the expansion of the economy and, in particular, of the social services? That is the only way in which to provide the jobs needed.

Mr. Roberts

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. I confess that I am not particularly familiar with the Courtaulds Greenfield works. However, in 1980 there was a slimlining of the steel industry in South Wales, which led to both Llanwern and Port Talbot becoming much more competitive.

Mr. Alec Jones

Does the Minister agree that the 146,781 unemployed to whom he referred include many who were involved in industries that had nothing to do with modernisation? People have been thrown on to the slag heap. The figure that he cited includes about 5,000 school leavers who are still on the dole queue. How many more Easter school leavers will join that dole queue as a direct consequence of the Government's actions?

Mr. Roberts

Before I attempt to answer that question, I welcome the right hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Jones) back to his place.

Modernisation is not the cause of all the redundancies or of all the unemployment in Wales. I recognise that recession has played a great part in unemployment. We are not unaware of the difficulties that face the unemployed, particularly school leavers. We have increased the number of youth opportunity positions for next year from 27,000 to 43,000.

Mr. Best

Is my hon. Friend aware that not so long ago an additional £20 million was granted by the EEC for the steel and coal closure areas, which will probably create an extra 4,000 jobs? Is he also aware that the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mr. Jones) is seeking to deny Wales the prospect of more jobs by his stance of supporting the official Labour Party?

Mr. Roberts

There can be no doubt that membership of the EEC is vital for the retention of many jobs and for the creation of others in Wales.

Mr. Wigley

Does the Minister recall the forecast made by the economics department in Bangor a year ago to the effect that unemployment in Wales would increase to over 170,000? Does he now accept that forecast?

Mr. Roberts

As is the custom of those who speak from this Dispatch Box, I have no intention of making any forecast. I shall certainly not accept anybody else's forecast.