HC Deb 16 February 1993 vol 219 cc117-8
3. Mr. Etherington

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently unemployed in the north of England.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Patrick McLoughlin)

In December 1992, on the seasonally adjusted basis, there were 168,500 unemployed claimants in the northern region.

Mr. Etherington

One of the few areas of expansion that the Government have achieved since 1979 has been unemployment and my constituency has had more than its fair share of that commodity. Last week a Minister said that the way to rebuild the economy in this country was to ensure that we had a well-trained and well-educated work force. In view of that, does the Minister agree that the last thing that we require is a tax on knowledge? If he agrees, will he speak to his colleagues and ensure that no value added tax is placed on books, periodicals and newspapers?

Mr. McLoughlin

I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would say that, in July 1986, unemployment in his constituency was 10,991 and that it is now 6,812—a reduction of 38 per cent. I should have thought that even he might welcome that, but perhaps I was hoping for far too much. The question of which issues will be included in the Budget is one for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. Bates

Is my hon. Friend aware of the significant inward investment that has been made in the north-east? Is he aware of the £2.7 billion of inward investment and the 35,000 jobs that it has either created or safeguarded? Does he agree that that has been achieved because organisations such as the Northern Development Company, Tyne and Wear development corporation and the Teesside development corporation—all Government sponsored—have gone round the world promoting the considerable benefits of locating in the north-east, not perpetually running down the north-east, as the Labour party does?

Mr. McLoughlin

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. He is right to draw attention to inward investment, which has been very important to the north-east and the northern region. Inward investment is indeed welcome and has certainly not been described by the Government as "alien" —as it was described not so long ago by the Trades Union Congress. My hon. Friend is right: inward investment has provided many jobs and is very welcome.

Mr. Dobson

Will the Minister confirm that there are now 200,000 fewer jobs in the northern region than there were in 1979? Will he take the advice of all who watch him and his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on television and listen to them on the radio? Will they cut the cackle, stop waffling and actually create some jobs?

Mr. McLoughlin

If anyone has been responsible for waffle, it is Opposition Members rather than us.

The simple truth is that, in the northern region—which the question concerns–220,000 people were unemployed in July 1986. Today, the figure is 168,000. I should have thought that even the hon. Gentleman would welcome a reduction of 24 per cent.

Mr. John Greenway

May I remind my hon. Friend that any geographical description of the north of England must include Yorkshire and Humberside? Does he agree that, in Yorkshire and the rest of the northern region, entrepreneurs and others who wish to set up businesses will find a good quality of life, local authorities that are prepared to help them with planning and a willing work force second to none in the United Kingdom?

Mr. McLoughlin

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I am sure that he is absolutely right.

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