HC Deb 28 June 1983 vol 44 cc55-6W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployed men and women in Cambridgeshire who are prepared to do temporary agricultural work.

Mr. Gummer

The information is not available; the unemployment statistics do not separately distinguish this category of unemployed person.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures for Liverpool and Merseyside, respectively.

Mr. Gummer

Unemployment will begin to come down as British industry becomes more competitive and world trading conditions improve. The Government cannot guarantee a recovery or the creation of new jobs, but they can help to establish the right environment in which firms can prosper by producing goods and services that will sell. Greater efficiency and enterprise will lead to the new jobs we all want to see in Liverpool and Merseyside and elsewhere. We have already made a good deal of progress; inflation is at its lowest level since 1968, production has risen and productivity has reached new record levels. Meanwhile, we are helping those hardest hit through our considerable range of special employment and training measures.