HC Deb 24 April 1990 vol 171 cc145-6
5. Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current total of unemployed in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Howard

In March 1990 the level of unemployment, seasonally adjusted, in the United Kingdom was 1,603,600, which is 5.6 per cent. of the work force. The European Community average rate for February, the latest available date, was 8.6 per cent.

Mr. Allen

As the Secretary of State always refuses to tell us when the unemployment level will come down to 1979 levels, does he recall the Prime Minister's remark in 1983 that unemployment would return to 1979 levels in the long run? Is this one of the Prime Minister's long runs which will go on and on and on?

Mr. Howard

I have good news for the hon. Gentleman and I hope that he will share my rejoicing in it. There are 1.5 million more jobs now than there were in 1979—more than 27 million jobs in total. Will he join me in rejoicing at that figure?

Mr. Dunn

Would my right hon. and learned Friend care to speculate on the impact that the high-spending, high-taxing, high-inflation, trade-union-dominated policies of the Labour party would have on employment levels?

Mr. Howard

Unemployment levels would undoubtedly be far higher than they are now, not least because of the one policy above all to which the Labour party is utterly committed—that is, making striking easier. That would undoubtedly have a devastating effect on employment.

Mr. McAllion

Is the Secretary of State aware of the exploitation of the unemployed represented by the growth in private security firms which pay as little as 95p per hour and make overtime of up to 12 hours per week mandatory on employees? Is he saying that that exploitation of the unemployed is a matter for rejoicing? Is not it time that he got off his backside and started to bring the excesses of such cowboys under the control of the law?

Mr. Howard

I do not see how that could be regarded as exploitation of the unemployed. It is important that jobs are available to the unemployed, as they now are to a greater extent than ever before.

Mr. Madel

Can my right hon. and learned Friend confirm that the Government will not interfere directly or indirectly in wage negotiations and that it is entirely up to management and unions to work out settlements to keep the maximum number of people in work?

Mr. Howard

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is equally incumbent on all concerned to have regard to the long-term consequences of their actions so that jobs are not lost because of excessive settlements.