3. Mr. loan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the most recent unemployment figures for Wales, Mid-Glamorgan and Aberdare; and what percentage increase this represents over May 1979.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsOn 14 January 1982 the figures were 176,180, 34,009, and 3,991 respectively, which represented increases of 112.3 per cent., 119.8 per cent., and 103.5 per cent. respectively over May 1979.
Mr. EvansDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the long-term decline of British industry has accelerated while the Government have been in office, and that their deflationary policies have further damaged the level of 4 investment in British industry? Will he use his good offices in the Cabinet to ensure that the Chancellor of the Exchequer introduces a Budget to help solve the employment problem, rather than one to harm it, as every Conservative Budget has done?
§ Mr. EdwardsThe long-term problems of Britain and industry have come home to roost while the Government have been in office. However, it is not this Government's actions that have caused that, but the neglect of many problems for many years. It is an expression of my concern to remedy the position in Wales that I have authorised the Welsh Development Agency to announce today its sixth programme. It will primarily be concentrated on Mid-Glamorgan, Gwynedd, Dyfed and Clwyd—areas outside steel closure areas. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will welcome the fact that a major part of that programme—90,000 sq. ft.—will be carried out in his constituency.
§ Mr. HoosonDoes my right hon. Friend agree with the estimate given recently by Mr. Ivor Richard on BBC Radio Wales that 50,000 Welsh jobs will disappear if the Labour Party succeeds in pulling Britain out of the EEC?
§ Mr. EdwardsIt is clear that a large part of the overseas investment that is so important to the Welsh economy has, on the admission of the companies concerned, come to Britain to enter the European market. Many of those responsible for such companies have said that if Britain pulls out of Europe that would prejudice their companies and further inward investment.
§ Mr. Alec JonesIf the Secretary of State wishes to give that side of the argument about membership of the EEC, would it not be honest if he told the House about the large numbers of jobs that have been lost in Wales as a direct consequence of Britain's membership? I draw his attention——
§ Mr. Garel-JonesWhat about the EEC?
§ Mr. JonesI draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention and that of his hon. Friend the Member for Watford (Mr. Garel-Jones), who likes to intervene from a sedentary position, to the fact that the Hoover factory had intended to supply washing machines to the Common Market, but to date it has not manufactured one screw.
§ Mr. EdwardsThe right hon. Gentleman may not be aware that the Hoover company would have had to overcome European competition, whether or not Britain had been a member of the EEC. Britain's membership gives Hoover the right of access to European markets on equal terms. If it provides its goods at the right price, quality and time, it can exploit that market.
§ 4. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in Wales have been without a job for (a) six months and (b) 12 months; what is the percentage rise in both figures since May 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsOn 8 October 1981, the latest date for which figures are available, 86,754 people had been unemployed for more than six months, of whom 50,078 had been unemployed for more than 12 months. The increase since April 1979 is 117.7 per cent. and 119.8 per cent. respectively.
§ Mr. JonesIs the right hon. Gentleman not ashamed that 87,000 Welsh people have been out of work for six 5 months or more? What hope can he give to those many thousands of middle-aged men, especially those in the steel areas, who have been made redundant and may not work again unless the Government's policies are radically changed?
§ Mr. EdwardsClearly the best hope for such people is to attract new industry to Wales—an aim in which the Government have been remarkably successful during the past year, when almost 300 new Government factories have been allocated. I am glad that at least Clwyd county council appears to realise the attraction that that part of Wales and Wales generally offer new industry, as it acknowledges the 200 new firms that have moved to Clwyd during the past four years. It also draws attention to the fine motorway and other benefits, such as financial incentives, that are available to firms which take the sensible decision to move to Wales.
§ Mr. WigleyNotwithstanding the right hon. Gentleman's remarks, does he accept that unemployment is appalling? The only short-term way to improvement is by an intensive capital investment programme. In those circumstances, why have the Government screwed down so hard the capital investment programme of local authorities, especially the county councils?
§ Mr. EdwardsI have just announced the result of the major capital programme of the Welsh Development Agency—which in one year has built more factories than the Labour Government built in three—and a record urban aid programme directed at local authorities to assist local authority projects, which shows the inaccuracy of the hon. Gentleman's point. In the presence of the former Prime Minister, the right hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan), I am especially glad to announce that as part of the urban aid programme, and through local authorities, the Government are giving substantial assistance to the industry department of University College, Cardiff, which is doing valuable work in developing new products and projects in South Wales.
§ Mr. GristI am delighted with that last piece of information from my right hon. Friend. Will he commiserate with the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mr. Jones), who clearly wishes Britain to remain within the EEC to obtain the Datsun factory either for his area or for Wales generally? Is it not amazing that the hon. Member for Merthyr Tydfil (Mr. Rowlands) and the right hon. Member for Rhondda (Mr. Jones)—both of whom were members of the Labour Government of the right hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan)—are now so opposed to what they supported when in Government?
§ Mr. EdwardsSome of the views expressed by the Opposition are very odd, especially about projects that originate outside Britain. I know how pleased my hon. Friend will he with the important announcement today by the Chemical Bank—the sixth largest bank in the United States—to locate its back-room operations in Cardiff. That development will provide 350 jobs and will be of immense importance to the capital city, because it will lead the way to the commercial development that is so important to Wales.
§ Mr. Alec JonesThe Opposition agree with the Secretary of State about the attractiveness of Wales for industry. Is he aware that our complaint is that we do not 6 have a Government who match up to the natural advantages of Wales? We have unemployment that is not only excessively high but excessively long-lasting. Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of the directors of social services, which outlines the increased deaths, increased admissions to psychiatric hospitals and the increased number of prison sentences, which are all social consequences likely to occur as a result of long-lasting and high unemployment?
Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving financial assistance to the Association of Welsh Marriage Guidance Councils? It is asking the Welsh Office for help in an attempt to ameliorate some of the dreadful social consequences of the unemployment created by his Government?
§ Mr. EdwardsOnce again I must point out to the right hon. Gentleman that a main objective of the urban programme is to help social projects and to meet social needs such as he described. This year's allocation of over £15 million—more than double the allocation during his period in office—is proof of our concern about the matter.