§ 11. Mr. OppenheimTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently self-employed; and how many people became self-employed during the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. CopeIn September 1988, the latest date for which estimates are available, there were 2,956,000 self-employed people in Great Britain, a net increase of 124,000 since September 1987.
§ Mr. OppenheimDoes my right hon. Friend agree that self-employment jobs are real jobs and make a good contribution to the economy? Will he confirm that those moving into self-employment will be able to find training opportunities on the education training scheme?
§ Mr. CopeI agree with both parts of what my hon. Friend has said. Business skills training is certainly an important part of the employment training scheme.
§ Mr. MeacherIs the Minister aware that no less than 41 per cent. of the Government's claimed increase in jobs in the past two years allegedly comes from self-employment? Is he aware that those Government figures are simply invented—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—that the latest known figures date from 1981 and that in any event the lifetime of self-employed small businesses is now the shortest ever, with bankruptcies at a record high?
§ Mr. CopeThe hon. Gentleman tries hard, because he cannot accept that the present work force is at its highest ever.
§ Mr. David ShawIs my right hon. Friend aware that self-employment provides real jobs which are not invented? Many people in my constituency and in constituencies all over the country are grateful to the Government for opportunities in self-employment, which enables some to obtain jobs for the first time.
§ Mr. CopeI absolutely agree. They are real jobs, and not inventions as the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) suggested. Of course the figures are estimates, but they are accurate estimates and show that jobs that people want are being provided.