HC Deb 19 April 1994 vol 241 cc724-5
2. Mr. Oppenheim

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the proportion of workers in part-time employment.

Miss Widdecombe

In December 1993, 28 per cent. of the work force in employment in Great Britain worked part time.

Mr. Oppenheim

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the 1970s the number of part-time workers as a proportion of the overall total increased by 6 per cent. compared with only 5 per cent. in the 1980s? Is she also aware that since 1979 soaring manufacturing productivity has boosted average net weekly take-home pay by no less than £80 a week, compared with stagnant earnings and stagnant productivity between 1974 and 1979? Does that not graphically illustrate that it was the Labour Government who presided over the sweatshop economy and that the only Mickey Mouse jobs were those that they gave to their buddies in local government?

Miss Widdecombe

It amply demonstrates to the House that it is the Conservative party which has presided over a rise in take-home pay for people on average earnings. What is important to those people is what is left in their pockets for them to exercise choice over. The Government have consistently stood by that, while the Labour party, which has called for expenditure on all and made promises on everything, has never delivered when in office.

Ms Eagle

When does the Department intend to respond to the Law Lords' judgment which established that the current discrimination against part-time workers in employment law must be ended? When shall we get legislation to bring the discrimination to an end and put things right?

Miss Widdecombe

Distinctions between part-time and full-time workers and their rights were maintained by Labour Governments, so the Law Lords' ruling applies just as much to what Labour Governments did as to what we do. We shall respond at such time as our deliberations are complete.

Mr. Dunn

Is not part-time work one of the greatest single benefits to those women who wish to combine economic work with family responsibilities?

Miss Widdecombe

It is indeed, and I am rather saddened that the Opposition always try to sell part-time work as some sort of second-rate option. We know from the labour force survey that it is the preferred option of those who work part time. Less than 14 per cent. of those who do so would work full time if they had the opportunity to do so. I should like to hear Opposition Members welcome that.

Mr. McAllion

Is the Minister aware that the proportion of part-time workers is likely to grow if we have any more announcements like the one made this morning by the London International Group about manufacturing job losses in Dundee, London and south Wales, with the switch of production to Malaysia where they will not buy British goods? When will the Government recognise that the deregulated marketplace that they advocate is a one-way street to disinvestment and job losses in this country and to exploitation and slave labour in the third world?

Miss Widdecombe

The one-way street that appears to be operating is the vastly increased inward investment to the United Kingdom as a result of the Government's policies.