HC Deb 19 April 1994 vol 241 cc731-2
9. Mr. Booth

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people in the south-eastern region have been placed into work by the Employment Service in the past 12 months.

Miss Widdecombe

A total of 406,900 seasonally adjusted placings to February 1994, which is an increase of 47,900 over the previous year.

Mr. Booth

Will my hon. Friend welcome the fact that in the south-east, which includes Finchley, there has been a reduction in unemployment of 5 per cent. in the past year, born of the sensible policies of the Conservative party? Does not that contrast with the parts of the world where the most significant employment is that of the dead-beat policies that are still peddled by the Labour party?

Miss Widdecombe

Yes, indeed. The increased number of placings, the falling unemployment and the increased number of members of the civilian work force in employment, add up to a huge endorsement of our policies. The only thing to be regretted is that whenever there is a good news such as that which my hon. Friend has just brought to the attention of the House, the Opposition simply sit there looking as glum as owls.

Mr. Gapes

Is the Minister aware that in the past year throughout the south-east of the country and in London thousands of people have lost their jobs and many people are suffering from mortgage pressure, from loss of earnings and from pressure on their lives as a result of the unemployment created by the Government?

Miss Widdecombe

Why does not the hon. Gentleman welcome the fall in unemployment? Why does not he welcome the fall in interest rates, which reduces that mortgage pressure? Why does not he welcome the increase in numbers in employment? Why is he so concerned to peddle misery and unhappiness to his constituents? [Interruption.]

Madam Speaker

Order. There was so much noise going on in the House that I did not hear what the hon. Member for Cynon Valley (Mrs. Clwyd) said. [Interruption.] Order. If there was less noise, I would have done so. I believe that she used a phrase which last week was unacceptable to me. If that is the case, it is still unacceptable to me now, and I ask the hon. Lady, before we proceed any further, to withdraw it. [Interruption.] Order. I will deal with this matter. I understand that the hon. Lady used—

Several hon. Members

On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker

There is no point of order. I am on my feet. Am I to understand that the hon. Lady used the phrase, "peddling untruths"?

Mrs. Clwyd

Yes.

Madam Speaker

In that case, it was unacceptable to me last week and— [Interruption.] Order. It was rephrased last week. [Interruption.] Order. I am asking the hon. Lady to rephrase the comment she made. It is as simple as that.

Mrs. Clwyd

I understand that last week the Prime Minister—I was not in my place at the time—actually used the phrase, "peddled an untruth", and I understand that the Prime Minister was not asked to withdraw that particular phrase.

Madam Speaker

The Prime Minister rephrased that. [Interruption.] Order. He rephrased it and I am asking the hon. Lady to do precisely the same.

Mrs. Clwyd

I repeat, British Coal and the Secretary of State misled the House.

Madam Speaker

In that case I accept what the hon. Lady said, and we can now proceed.