§ 32. Mr. Silvesterasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest figures for unemployment in the North-West; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingAt 9th February, 213,935 people were registered as unemployed in the North-West Region. While this represents a welcome decrease of nearly 3,600 on the previous month, unemployment in the North-West Region remains far too high.
The region will continue to benefit from the special employment measures which so far have helped nearly 160,000 persons in the North-West. Further benefits, particularly for young people, should result in coming months from the youth opportunities programme and special temporary employment programme and I would appeal to employers, local authorities, community groups and all those in the North-West who share my concern about unemployment to do all they can to make these imaginative new programmes successful: the Manpower Services Commission would welcome proposals for projects under these schemes.