§ 11. Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he expects in measures for the reduction of unemployment in Wales during the coming year.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI never make forecasts of that kind, but the Government will continue a wide range of measures to encourage economic development and so reduce unemployment throughout Wales.
§ Mr. HowellsWill the right hon. Gentleman see the Prime Minister before Christmas and persuade her to drop her monetarist policies and change course, so that unemployment in Wales next year may be reduced by 50,000?
§ Mr. EdwardsI have no intention of asking my right hon. Friend to do anything of the kind, particularly at a time when inflation is at its lowest level for many years, when economic growth is well established and when the unemployment figures have fallen for several consecutive months in Wales.