§ Mr. John Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment what special instructions have been issued to officers in his Department to consider how the numbers of people registered for unemployment may be reduced; what action he has taken; and with what effect.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonOfficers of my Department are charged at all times to keep the Government's measures for alleviating unemployment under constant review.
On 21 November 1980 my right hon. Friend gave details of the special employment measures for 1981–82. The results of these measures will be seen in due time. However, at the end of January 1981 it is estimated that 926,000 people were covered by the Government's special employment and training measures, and it is further estimated that at the same date about 310,000 people were being kept off the unemployed register as a result of these measures.