HC Deb 30 June 1988 vol 136 cc517-8
6. Mr. Harry Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Northern Ireland.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Peter Viggers)

The May unemployment figures, which are the latest available, are encouraging. They show a decrease of 2,113 from April and a decrease of 9,949 from May last year. The Government continue to give a high priority to the reduction of unemployment in Northern Ireland and provide a wide range of employment, training and enterprise measures for that purpose.

Mr. Barnes

However one calculates the Northern Ireland unemployment figures, whether in absolute terms or in terms relative to England or with the past; whether one compares Protestant with Catholic unemployment, and Protestant unemployment is still higher than it is in this country—or whether one uses the Government's new statistical techniques or traditional techniques, the fact remains that unemployment in Northern Ireland is a disgrace. It fuels sectarianism and paramilitarism. What will the Government do, and how will the privatisation of Harland and Wolff assist in that situation?

Mr. Viggers

I see no direct link between privatisation and unemployment. As to the hon. Gentleman's other point, the Government operate a wide range of measures in Northern Ireland to promote industry and to organise training and employment. They are easily the most generous in the United Kingdom and they will continue. As to the disparity in unemployment between Protestants and Catholics, there is to be a debate on the Government's White Paper tomorrow. We are committed to equality of employment opportunities and the hon. Gentleman will learn from tomorrow's debate the firm proposals that we intend bringing forward on that score.

Mr. Peter Robinson

In view of speculation in the morning newspapers, will the Minister say whether plans for the privatisation of Harland and Wolff are to be announced in the House, or outside? If the Government have such plans, what attempts has the Minister made to ensure that there is job security, to convince the shipyard that there will be intervention funding and to say whether there will be access to naval orders?

Mr. Viggers

The number of people employed in any company should depend on efficiency and profitability, not on public or private ownership. I said in my response to the Adjournment debate on 27 May that if there were to be an expression of interest in the acquisition of Harland and Wolff the Government would take it seriously. An expression of interest in the acquisition of Harland and Wolff has now come forward from Tikkoo Cruise Line Ltd. The Government will consider that and any proposals from any other parties that might lead to the privatisation of the company.

Mr. Jim Marshall

Since, according to press speculation—again, it is press speculation—Mr. Tikkoo has denied that he has any interest whatever in being a shipbuilder, will the Minister state categorically whether the Government have approached Mr. Tikkoo, or whether Mr. Tikkoo has approached the Government.

Mr. Viggers

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I have met Mr. Tikkoo and discussed the proposal in outline. He is indeed interested in the acquisition of the yard.