HC Deb 10 March 1983 vol 38 cc946-7
14. Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment statistics for Northern Ireland.

Mr. Adam Butler

The number of unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland on 10 February was 114,735—an unemployment rate of 20.6 per cent. This is a decrease of 1,465 from the previous month, and while the underlying trend was still upwards, I am glad to say that the figures showed some improvement in that regard.

Mr. Mitchell

Does the Minister expect the unemployment figures in Northern Ireland to get better, or worse, during the next six months?

Mr. Butler

I expect that Government efforts will continue to be devoted to doing their utmost to ensure that local industry is supported and that new companies are attracted from overseas so as to reduce, as far as possible, the present unacceptable level of unemployment.