§ Mr. Bradfordasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs have been lost in the construction industry in Northern Ireland, from the announcement of the freeze on public expenditure in Northern Ireland to the latest possible date.
§ Mr. Rossi[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1980, c. 254]: There was no freeze on public expenditure in Northern Ireland. A moratorium, applied on the letting of new contracts, lasted from 30 June to 6 August 1980. It did not affect contruction work already in progress and had only a marginal effect on employment. Between 10 July and 9 October 1980—the nearest comparable period—the number of persons registered as unemployed in the construction industry rose by 3,791.