HC Deb 06 December 1983 vol 50 cc153-4
12. Mr. Hoyle

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to publish estimated employment trends for November 1983 to November 1984.

Mr. Tom King

I do not propose to do so.

Mr. Hoyle

Is it because the Secretary of State has no confidence in the Government's policies to control or lower unemployment that he will not give that information? Does it not show that it will not only be a bleak Christmas, but a bleak 1984 for the country?

Mr. King

I suppose that the hon. Gentleman could ask his right hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Mr. Foot) whether that was why he did not publish the figures either. It is not a helpful exercise, and I believe that it would only be misleading. I have done it once myself and sought to forecast unemployment, and I know the difficulties that are involved.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

Although I fully accept my right hon. Friend's explanation about why he will not estimate future unemployment, will he accept that the Government's failure to act on industrial rates, and the announcement of their intention to force the energy industries—gas and electricity—to put up their prices, are hardly conducive to making industry more competitive? I use the phrase that my right hon. Friend used a moment ago. Unless we are more competitive, unemployment is scarcely likely to come down. Will he make representations to the Secretary of State?

Mr. Speaker

Order. That supplementary question was too long.

Mr. King

What my hon. Friend says obviously does not arise on this question. However, I cannot emphasise too strongly the importance of competitiveness and of Britain earning its living in the world. I note that the question was asked by the hon. Member for Warrington, North (Mr. Hoyle). His failure to denounce the recent events in Warrington hardly helps to improve employment prospects in this country.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

When will my constituents have the opportunity of full-time employment?

Mr. King

That is a question which the right hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent(Mr. Foot), who presided over the first substantial increase in unemployment, both short term and long term, was unable to answer. I believe that for the first time we can see a real prospect of more people in real jobs. I believe also that there is a prospect of a reduction in long-term unemployment. I hope that the whole House will welcome that.