HC Deb 20 March 1996 vol 274 cc372-4
18. Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the proportion of the working age population employed in the United Kingdom; and what are the figures in other EU countries. [20141]

Mr. Forth

In the UK, 68 per cent. of the working age population are in employment. That is the highest percentage of the major European countries and well above the European Union average.

Mr. Jenkin

Is my hon. Friend aware that UK jobs are more secure than the average in the European Union? The number of temporary jobs as a proportion of all employees is 6.5 per cent. in the UK but 10 per cent. in Germany, 11 per cent. in France and a staggering 33.5 per cent. in formerly socialist Spain. If people want job security, should not they vote for our labour market policies instead of for the social chapter?

Mr. Forth

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for a telling point that completely gives the lie to the Opposition's argument, spurious as ever, when they harp on about job security. As my hon. Friend said, the number of temporary jobs in this country is small compared with the number that most of our continental partners experience. That tells its own tale and powerfully reinforces the point that job security is much greater in the UK than it is among our partners and competitors on the European mainland.

Mr. Eastham

What value can be put on the Government's employment figures, when we know that they have been massaged 32 times? Government employment figures include as part-time workers even people who work only one hour per week.

Mr. Forth

I am puzzled by the Opposition's obsession with unemployment figures. I assume that most Labour

Members support the International Labour Organisation and that they are prepared to consider the labour force survey on unemployment figures which is produced from time to time. Opposition Members should acknowledge that figures in the labour force survey sponsored by the ILO are close and similar to our own claimant count, which suggests that the claims made by Opposition Members cannot be supported in any way—least of all by the ILO.

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