§ 17. Mr. Cunliffeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what were the numbers unemployed in the Leigh travel-to-work area in May 1979 and in April 1983.
§ Mr. GummerAt May 1979 the number of registered unemployed in the Leigh travel-to-work area was 2,448. At April 1983 the number of unemployed claimants in the area was 7,355.
§ Mr. CunliffeDo not those figures reflect the total and abysmal failure of the Government's industrial strategy during their four years of office? Is it not a crushing indictment that the great monetarist experience, which was billed as a wonder cure for the British economy, has now proved a total failure? Are not those people now on the scrapheap with no future while the Government remain in office? Is it not to be welcomed that the electorate will have the opportunity of terminating the Government's term of office once and for all on 9 June?
§ Mr. GummerI share the hon. Gentleman's concern about the large increase in unemployment in the Leigh travel-to-work area. I hope that he will share my belief that the only way in which jobs will be created is if the national economy improves—I keep repeating this because it is true — so that we increase prosperity in Britain by producing goods that compete with those of our competitors. The hon. Gentleman may look forward to the election, but he will find that the Government will be reelected because the people of Britain know perfectly well that we have created the foundation for an increase in employment.
§ Mr. WintertonWhile dissociating myself from the exaggerations of the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. 727 Cunliffe), may I ask whether my hon. Friend agrees that a number of those who have become unemployed in the Leigh area hitherto worked in the textile and clothing industry? If our partners in the EC can take special action to protect their industries and to provide the necessary safeguards against unfair competition, cannot my hon. Friend ensure that the United Kingdom Conservative Government take the same steps to protect the jobs of responsible people who have a great skill, whose industry is the third largest employer in the United Kingdom and which produces a massive export opportunity for Britain?
§ Mr. GummerMy hon. Friend will agree that textiles and clothing are already the most protected sectors of British manufacturing industry. The new multi-fibre arrangement will reinforce that protection. I am sure that he will further agree that within the European Community there are many more markets for our goods than there would be if we were thrown out of it, which the Labour party would like to see happen.