§ 7. Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women, respectively, were unemployed in Newcastle-under-Lyme in May 1979 and at the latest date for which figures are available in 1982.
§ Mr. WaddingtonAt May 1979 there were 1,209 males and 367 females registered as unemployed in the Newcastle-under-Lyme employment office area. The corresponding figures at October 1982 were 4,112 males and 1,726 females. The numbers of unemployed claimants at October 1982—from now on the count is based on claimants—were 3,663 males and 1,272 females.
§ Mr. GoldingIs the Minister aware that as unemployment has more than trebled in my constituency great misery and tragedy have been brought to many families? Is he aware that in my locality, where there have been good industrial relations, low pay and good quality products, people believe that present redundancies and the further redundancies that are being declared are the result solely of the Government's economic policies?
§ Mr. WaddingtonI am fully aware of the misery and tragedy that can result from unemployment, but we must not fool people into believing that there are easy answers. The answers have been given often, as Opposition Members know in their hearts. They include making British industry more profitable, which is the only way in which new jobs can be created.
§ Mr. BudgenWill my hon. and learned Friend confirm that the recent devaluation of between 5 and 6 per cent. 695 will be extremely helpful to the pottery industry as well as to the heavy manufacturing industry in the West Midlands? Will he also confirm that the Government do not intend to attempt to reverse that devaluation by intervening on the foreign exchanges?
§ Mr. WaddingtonIt is not for me to comment on my hon. Friend's last remark. That matter does not come within my province. My hon. Friend is entirely right to point to the help that will be given to industry as a result of the fall in value of the pound, for which the CBI has been calling for a long time.