§ 9. Mr. Hudson Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the current level of unemployment in Wales; what is the percentage increase since May 1979; and what steps he is taking to deal with this situation.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsOn a seasonally adjusted basis the current figure is 162,000, a rise of 99.5 per cent. since May 1979. Government policy remains to strengthen and improve the competitiveness of the economy so as to ensure viable and lasting jobs.
§ Mr. Hudson DaviesIs the Secretary of State not aware that the measures, which he mentioned today, to try to create further employment in Wales are completely insignificant when set against the true scale of the problem, of which the real magnitude is reflected in the fact that in Mid-Glamorgan there are 621 vacancies, while the number of unemployed there stands at 34,009? When will he realise that unemployment is a real problem in Wales? When will he pull his finger out and do something substantial about it?
§ Mr. EdwardsI am doing something about it. A large proportion of the latest WDA programme is devoted to Mid-Glamorgan. It would be interesting to know what the hon. Gentleman would do about it. I noticed that on the only major occasion when there was an opportunity for his new alliance to express its views on employment matters, 10 two of his colleagues from Wales voted with the Government, the hon. and learned Member for Abertillery (Mr. Thomas) voted against them and, characteristically, the hon. Gentleman was careful not to record his views.
§ Mr. Ray PowellDoes the Secretary of State appreciate that, from the figures that he has announced, he is taking this country and Wales on a Freddie Laker flight to disaster? Does he not appreciate that we need a "Concorde" effort to put right the Welsh economy, not a two-hour helicopter flight?
§ Mr. EdwardsMore than anything else, what will put the economy to rights is the improved competitiveness of British industry, about which we rightly spoke when referring to the British Steel Corporation. Because of the recognition of the advantages of investing in Wales many outside companies are choosing to do so. That is why we are pleased to welcome a major commercial development in Wales today.
§ Sir Anthony MeyerIs my right hon. Friend aware that one of the factors operating against increased employment in Wales is the crushing burden of industrial rates on businesses? Is he further aware that there will be a general welcome for the courage that he has shown in putting a limit on industrial rates, even at the cost of an increase in domestic rates? Will he consider whether the "socially delightful party" is prepared to face such hard choices or has given any evidence of its readiness to do so?
§ Mr. EdwardsI am grateful for what my hon. Friend has said. It is right that the rate support settlement for Wales this year has been reasonable and good. That has been recognised by local government in Wales, which has seen that if it follows responsible policies and controls its current expenditure it will get a good settlement and extra capital spending. It is right, against that background, to have switched resources from the domestic to the industrial ratepayer at this critical moment.
Mr. James CallaghanWhile we welcome the crumbs of comfort that the Secretary of State has offered today, including the new Chemical Bank in Cardiff, is it his assessment, at the end of this series of questions on unemployment, that there is no prospect of any substantial reduction in unemployment in Wales during the reasonable future?
§ Mr. EdwardsI never make forecasts about unemployment. It is clear that there are signs that the economy is now moving out of recession. I cannot tell how long it will be before unemployment levels out and starts to fall. To speak of some of the measures and new investment that I have described as crumbs of comfort, particularly on a day when 350 jobs have been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's constituency, is slightly understating what we are achieving during this difficult period.