HC Deb 20 January 1986 vol 90 cc10-1
9. Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what is the proportion of unemployed in Wales who have been continuously unemployed for more than 12 months.

Mr. Nicholas Edwards

On 10 October 1985, the latest date for which these figures are available, the proportion was 42.4 per cent.

Mr. Davies

Has the Secretary of State any new initiative to deal with this problem?

Mr. Edwards

The hon. Member will be aware that there is a whole string of initiatives, including those concerning the community programme, where the number of places available in Wales—over 20,500 to be allocated by June this year—is more than double the total available in April last year. There are some 43,000 people currently covered by special employment and training measures in Wales, and we shall continue to press on with making a success of the wide range of measures that the Government have introduced.