HC Deb 26 February 1991 vol 186 cc788-9
13. Mr. Skinner

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment in the United Kingdom and what were the figures for June 1979.

Mr. Howard

The level of unemployment in the United Kingdom on the seasonally adjusted, consistent, basis was 1,888,500 in January 1991 compared with 1,067,500 in June 1979.

Mr. Skinner

After more than 11 years, the Government have managed to push up their fiddled employment figures by more than 800,000. The chances are that, in the course of this year, unemployment will worsen. In the past few months, we have seen a further demonstration that it is possible to organise a war economy. Why, then, do not the Government use the same expertise to get rid of the dole queue?

Mr. Howard

Why does not the hon. Gentleman recognise that 2 million more people are in work now than in 1979 when his party last left office? This country has more people in work than ever before and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the whole of the European Community.

Mr. Quentin Davies

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that, if one wants to increase employment, one should not increase the cost of labour to employers? Therefore, are not proposals to impose a compulsory training tax or a statutory minimum wage fatuously inappropriate and potentially destructive?

Mr. Howard

My hon. Friend is entirely right. The statutory minimum wage proposal alone would destroy 750,000 jobs and the Opposition's policies would combine to ensure that unemployment rose to record levels.

Mr. Graham

Is the Secretary of State aware that, in Scotland, every time we hear an announcement that unemployment is rising we call it the Tory fiddlers' rally, because we do not believe the figures. Just last week, there were savage cuts in training—[Interruption.]—so much so that it was like the new Secretary of State sending the bride to the wedding without her wedding dress. That is the extent of the problem that the Government have created. There is a lack of funding, to ensure that people can find jobs—[Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. Did the Secretary of State hear that?

Mr. Howard

I think, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. Gentleman was telling us how exceptionally well the Scottish economy is doing, and I entirely agree with him.

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