§ 28. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment what new employment opportunities will be available in the West Midlands during the next six months.
§ Mr. GoldingIt is not possible for my Department to make a meaningful estimate of the total number of job opportunities likely to become available in the West Midlands during the next six months, as it will depend on the way the general economic situation develops. However, there are encouraging signs that business confidence in the West Midlands is picking up. Short-time working has halved since December 1975. In addition, the Manpower Services Commission estimates that a further 700 jobs will be created in the West Midlands in the near future under their job creation programme.