Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Hansard, 26 July 1984)

§ 6. Mr. Parry
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his most recent meeting with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions

§ The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Mr. Adam Butler)
My right hon. Friend last formally met the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in November 1983, when they discussed a wide range of economic matters.

§ Mr. Parry
In view of the increase in unemployment in the Province under this Government from 52,000 in 1979 to 118,000 today, when do the Government intend to put to the ICTU some positive measures to reduce this high level of unemployment?

§ Mr. Butler
I do not think that it is the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to which the Government should put such measures. Whilst I acknowledge the considerable and worrying increase in unemployment in the Province in the last few years, we should take comfort from the fact that the last unemployment figures showed a reduction. Seasonally adjusted, they actually showed a fall.

§ Mr. Beggs
In an attempt to deal with unemployment in Northern Ireland, will the Minister give urgent consideration to the difficulties facing cheese manufacturers and the possible loss of jobs arising from the cut in the milk allocation to those factories? Will he also tell the House whether he has any plans to assist the beef industry, in view of the dramatic fall in beef prices?

§ Mr. Butler
I suspect that the question has more relevance to a later question on the Order Paper. However, it is true that there is considerable concern, and indeed short-time working, in industries associated with the agriculture industry, because of the cutback in milk production. We are watching the situation very closely. I believe that there has been a degree of over-reaction. I hope that it will not result in loss of jobs.

§ Sir John Farr
Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the representatives of the Irish TUC, whom he is to meet, are fully representative of widely-based opinion in the Province?

§ Mr. Butler
Yes.

§ Mr. Soley
Will the Minister go back to the trade unions and discuss with them the future of shipbuilding in the Province? In a statement yesterday, his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry brought into question the future of Harland and Wolff. What comments has the Minister to make to his right hon. Friend in the light of that worrying statement?

§ Mr. Butler
Members of the committee will be meeting my right hon. Friend on Tuesday. I am sure that, if they so wish, they will raise the subject with him then.
The Government have supported Harland and Wolff considerably over the years. We shall continue to do so, within proper limits. The problem is getting the orders.