HC Deb 30 March 1981 vol 2 cc6-8
8. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest percentage figures of unemployment in Aberdare, Mid-Glamorgan and Wales, respectively; and what action is proposed to improve employment prospects.

13. Mr. Hudson Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the percentage increase in the number of persons unemployed in the Mid-Glamorgan area since May 1979; and what action he proposes to take to reduce this figure.

Mr. Michael Roberts

The unemployment rates in Aberdare, Mid-Glamorgan and Wales on 12 Match 1981 were 15.6, 14.4, and 13.6 per cent. respectively. Between May 1979 and March 1981 the level of unemployment in Mid-Glamorgan increased by 80.2 per cent.

Mr. Rowlands

Did the hon. Gentleman say 80 per cent?

Mr. Roberts

It is 80.2 per cent. I am sorry that the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil (Mr. Rowlands) cannot hear. The employment prospects for these areas and the country as a whole depend upon reducing inflation and creating conditions in which industry can compete successfully.

Mr. Evans

Is that not proof that the Government's economic and industrial policies are disastrous? Unemployment is increasing by more than 1 million per year. When the Prime Minister reiterates that there are no alternative policies, will she look at the documents issued by the Wales TUC, the British TUC, the CBI, the Select Committee on Welsh Affairs and the Select Committee on the Treasury and Civil Service, because they have said that monetarist policies will not work and will have disastrous consequences?

Mr. Roberts

Some of the amalgams of those policies were put forward in a recent debate in the House by the right hon. Member for Stepney and Poplar (Mr. Shore), and the cost was analysed. That did not prove to be an attractive possibility.

Mr. Hudson Davies

Does the Minister agree that the increase of more than 80 per cent. in unemployment in less than two years is deplorable? Does he further agree that that figure is likely to be exacerbated by the cuts in rail services in the valleys, which come into effect this day? Does he further agree that the ability of people to travel to work and the attractiveness of the Welsh valleys in terms of future industry depend upon the existence of viable rail services? Is he aware of the demonstrations taking place this day by railway employees in South Wales who have been asked to implement the new timetables? Will he seek—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman has asked four questions. I think that the Minister should answer them now.

Mr. Roberts

I deplore unemployment in Mid-Glamorgan as much as I do in any other part of Wales or the United Kingdom. Unemployment has seriously affected Mid-Glamorgan for a long time. There is no dispute about the need to improve the infrastructure to ensure that the valleys are prosperous.

Mr. Delwyn Williams

Does my hon. Friend agree that the Opposition's hypocrisy is stunning? Is he aware that 100,000 people in Wales were made redundant under the Labour Government between 1974 and 1979? Is he further aware that 53,000 coal miners have been made redundant in Wales under Labour Governments since the war? Finally, is he aware that the rise in unemployment in Wales in the past 12 months was only 59 per cent. which compares favourably with 69 per cent. as a United Kingdom average?

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is a time for questions, not speeches.

Mr. Roberts

My hon. Friend's questions show that the problems associated with unemployment did not start 18 months ago.

Mr. Rowlands

Given the staggering figure of 80 per cent. unemployment since May 1979, will the Minister restore special development area status to those parts of Mid-Wales from which it has been taken away?

Mr. Roberts

All areas of high unemployment in Wales are constantly being considered for regional area status. However, we recognise that aid should be concentrated on areas such as Ebbw Vale or Bargoed, where unemployment is highest.

Mr. Alec Jones

It was remiss of me not to thank the hon. Gentleman earlier for his kind remarks about me.

The Opposition are concerned not only with the rise in unemployment that has taken place throughout Wales, particularly in Mid-Glamorgan, with 80 per cent., but with the future. Whether the hon. Gentleman reads it and likes it or not, we are concerned that the CBI's latest forecast indicates that unemployment could reach 3¼ million next year. How much of that unemployment will be represented by the people of Wales joining the dole queue? What responsible body of opinion in Wales now believes that the Government's policies are working?

Mr. Roberts

I am certain that many people in Wales recognise that over a long period previous Governments took an easy option. The Government have had to do something which may not be popular, but which, we believe, will bring prosperity to the whole of the United Kingdom.

Mr. Ioan Evans

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.