HC Deb 08 February 1988 vol 127 cc3-5
2. Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total of unemployed in Wales in February 1979 and to the latest recorded date in the current year; and what the increase in unemployment represents as a percentage figure.

Mr. Peter Walker

The seasonally adjusted number of unemployed claimants in Wales in February 1979 and December 1987 were 75,000–6 per cent.—and 140,300 —11.7 per cent. which figure, I am pleased to say, has decreased by 20 per cent. over the past 19 months.

Mr. Jones

In order further to rebuild the economy on Deeside, will the right hon. Gentleman consider vastly improving road access to the very fine Deeside industrial park? Does he understand that the communities of Shotton and Connah's Quay want to be bypassed by a new crossing of the River Dee so that their lives can be made much better by getting the traffic out of the streets? The great worry of Alyn and Deeside council is that, despite its good plans for jobs, it cannot get hold of the site of the Connah's Quay power station, which is now redundant. Will the right hon. Gentleman discuss these matters when he visits Clywd later this month?

Mr. Walker

Yes, I shall be happy to discuss any matters when I make that visit. I share the hon. Gentleman's concern about the appearance of the entrance to the industrial park. It is partly a question of land ownership and current usage there, but I hope that those concerned will have urgent discussions so that the situation can be improved.

Mr. Foot

Was the right hon. Gentleman aware of the shudder of dismay throughout the coalfields in Wales last week at the fresh or projected redundancies in that industry? Will he tell us whether British Coal consulted him before those announcements were made, and will he confirm that urgent consideration will be given to Abernant colliery and all the other projected rundowns? It is a serious situation and I hope that the Government will not have allowed British Coal to embark on this programme without consulting them first.

Mr. Walker

As the right hon. Gentleman knows full well, this is a matter for British Coal. I am pleased to say that when I was responsible for these matters, I laid down a new procedure which allows an independent examination of any application. If the mines concerned wish to go through that procedure, they will be able to do so. That procedure is a considerable improvement on that operated in Wales between 1964 and 1970, when 32,000 miners lost their jobs as a result of pit closures.

Mr. Gwilym Jones

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the steadily falling trend of unemployment, while in perfect contrast to the rising trend of the Labour Government, has still not gone far enough, that we must continue to accord the highest priority to combating unemployment and that this will be best served by a positive approach to the jobs created for industry and the potential for even more jobs in Wales?

Mr. Walker

Yes, Sir. Some staggering achievements are taking place. In the past year a record number of factories led to record inward investment and a record drop in unemployment. I hope that that trend will continue.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does the Secretary of State appreciate that, since his appointment, he seems to have been engaged in spreading synthetic optimism? The reality of the Welsh situation was symbolised by the 2,000 job losses in our coal industry last week. Is there not every sign that job prospects for 1988 are worse in Wales than for any other region? In regard to pay levels, we are simply at the bottom of the league.

Mr. Walker

Prospects for the coming year are better for Wales than for most parts of the country. The facts will show that to be the case. I noticed the hon. Gentleman's jubilation at the announcement that the Trustee Savings Bank is going to Newport and the optimistic and cheerful notice that he put out. I am happy for the Labour party to be the party of pessimism and for the Conservative party to be the party of optimism.