§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report details of the numbers unemployed and the unemployment 314W rates prevailing, at May 1979, May 1980 and May 1981, in each of the following travel-to-work areas: Aberdeen, Accrington, Armagh, Belfast, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blackburn, Bolton, Bradford, Burnley, Bury, Darlington, Derby, Dewsbury. Galashiels, Halifax, Hartlepool, Hawick, Huddersfield, Keighley, Kelso, Kidderminster, Lancaster, Leeds, Leek, Leicester, Londonderry, Macclesfield, Manchester, Market Harborough, Nelson, North Lanarkshire, Nottingham, Oldham, Peebles, Rochdale, Rossendale, Skipton, Todmorden, Wakefield, Warrington, Wearside, Whitehaven and Workington.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will list the positive and specific proposals made by member Governments at this week's EEC Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg which discussed unemployment; what decisions were made on each of these proposals; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what was the outcome of the meeting in Luxembourg this week of EEC Ministers to discuss unemployment; which Minister or Ministers represented the United Kingdom Government; what proposals they made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 12 June 1981, c. 231]: During the week beginning 7 June there were two meetings of European Community Ministers in Luxembourg at which problems of unemployment were discussed.
On 10 June my noble Friend the Minister of State, Department of Employment and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security represented the United Kingdom at a meeting of the Labour and Social Affairs Council. At that meeting there was a brief discussion of a Commission communication concerning guidelines for policy formation in the light of common unemployment problems. The Minister of State welcomed the production of broad guidelines and exchanges of views within the Community on measures to counter unemployment. At the same time, he stressed that a recovery of employment depends upon reducing rates of inflation and on preserving and improving competitiveness. The Council also discussed a number of other matters. Agreement was reached on the interim rate of social fund intervention for Greece, on changes to the social security regulation on migrant workers (1408/71) incorporating technical amendments and more closely defining when medical treatment in another member state must be authorised, and on the need for a Commission communication on the relationship between health and safety and technical barriers to trade. The Council also took note of Commission reports on youth aids under the European social fund and on equal treatment for men and women.
On 11 June my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment represented the United Kingdom at a Joint Council of Employment, Economic and Finance Ministers to discuss unemployment. It was agreed that co-ordinated action was necessary against inflation and unemployment. The principal weapon against unemployment was a reduction in the level of 315W inflation. Only this, with improved competitiveness and increased investment, could create lasting conditions for sustained growth.
There was some discussion of the contribution which various forms of work sharing or more flexible organisations of working time could make to reducing unemployment. My right hon. Friend pointed out that in the United Kingdom hours of work were determined primarily by negotiations between employers and workers or their representatives. For Governments, or the Community, to produce binding instruments prescribing reductions in working time could result in a loss of competitiveness and thus of jobs.
The future role of the European social fund also received some attention. The fund is due for review before the end of 1982 and member States suggested a variety of factors which the review might consider. My right hon. Friend proposed that the fund should place more emphasis on measures to help areas affected by declining traditional manufacturing industries and the training of young people. There might also be an important role for the fund in supporting training to meet the needs of new technology, both for young people and adults.
A summary of the conclusions of the Joint Council was prepared on the authority of the Presidency; it will not necessarily be endorsed in every detail by each member State. I will ensure that when it is available a copy is placed in the Library of the House.