§ 13. Mr. Couchmanasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the current rate of job creation in Northern Ireland; and how this compares with Great Britain.
§ Dr. BoysonAn analysis of employment returns in Northern Ireland shows that at least 732 employers, employing 25 or more staff, increased their employment by a total of 11,151 jobs in the 12 months ending September 1984.
§ Mr. CouchmanIs my hon. Friend satisfied that this impressive rate of progress will lead to a significant diminution in the tragic rate of unemployment in the Province?
§ Mr. BoysonI hope, as my hon. Friend does, that that will be the case. Similarly, we hope that there will be an increase in job creation this year, even against last year's figures.