HC Deb 10 May 1983 vol 42 c717
1. Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of people registered as unemployed in the London borough of Wandsworth and the number of job vacancies registered at jobcentres in the borough.

15. Mr. Dubs

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in Wandsworth are now unemployed; and what was the figure in May 1979.

The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. Michael Alison)

At 14 April 1983 the number of unemployed claimants in the jobcentres areas which correspond closely to Wandsworth was 15,324. At May 1979 the number of registered unemployed in the area was 5,698. At 8 April 1983 the number of notified vacancies remaining unfilled at the jobcentres was 315.

Mr. Cox

Does the Minister have any idea at all of the destruction of job opportunities that this incompetent Government have caused in areas such as Wandsworth? He should hold his head in shame at the deplorable reply that he has just given.

Mr. Alison

The hon. Gentleman knows only too well that through their urban programme and other measures the Government have made considerable sums of money available to support employment in London, but it is hardly sufficient to offset the negative effect of rates in London, rising to nearly double the national average.

Mr. Dubs

Is it not true that the virtual threefold increase in unemployment in Wandsworth during the lifetime of this Government is almost entirely the direct consequence of their policies? Can the Minister suggest any possible reason why the 15,000 unemployed people in Wandsworth should vote for a Conservative candidate at the election?

Mr. Alison

I wonder to what the hon. Gentleman would attribute the doubling of unemployment under the 1966–70 Labour Government and the doubling of unemployment again under the 1974–79 Labour Government.

Mr. Adley

What is the relationship in Wandsworth between the number of job vacancies that are available at jobcentres and at private sector agencies? Does my right hon. Friend have a figure for Wandsworth? If so, how does it compare with the national figure?

Mr. Alison

There are about 315 job vacancies at jobcentres in Wandsworth. One needs to multiply that figure by three to get the overall total, including the private sector.