HC Deb 28 April 1986 vol 96 c651
10. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest unadjusted figures for unemployment in (a) Newport, (b) Gwent and (c) Wales; what were the equivalent figures in May 1979; and what was the percentage increase in each case.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

The unadjusted March 1986 figures of unemployment for Newport, Gwent and Wales are, respectively, 10,047; 30,219; and 184,247. Unadjusted figures for 1979 were produced on a different basis and cannot properly be compared with this year's figures.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister recognise that seven years is a milestone in the life of any Government and that throughout that period we have had more or less catastrophic unemployment in Wales? The trend is still upwards and Welsh Office Ministers seem to have no answer to the problem. Therefore, is it not time for them to consider their position, or are they determined to con the people of Wales right to the very end?

Mr. Roberts

We are doing our utmost to help employment in Wales. A few moments ago I referred to the number of advance factories that have been built by the Welsh Development Agency, and it is now embarking on a further programme of factory building involving an outlay of £27 million. I can also safely refer to the special employment measures, which give help to 43,850 people, and there are welcome developments in the hon. Gentleman's constituency. I am always astonished that we never hear about those good developments from the hon. Gentleman.

Mrs. Clwyd

In that case, will the Minister act on the advice given by the coalfield communities campaign to the Select Committee on Energy last week, when it suggested that a package was needed for coalfield communities similar to that which the Government have put aside for the inner city areas? Will he also tell us how many jobs for ex-miners NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. has produced in south Wales?

Mr. Roberts

The entire purpose of the valleys initiative announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is to focus support on the valleys of south Wales, and, of course, the moneys to be spent under that initiative are additional to the moneys already being spent under the urban programme and other programmes intended to support the valley communities. NCB (Enterprise) Ltd. has £20 million to invest, and I know from my visit to the enterprise train in Cardiff last week that it is doing extremely valuable work.