HC Deb 24 October 1984 vol 65 cc632-3W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many operatives were employed in the construction industry in Scotland at the latest date; and what were the figures for June 1979;

(2) how many operatives were employed in the construction industry in England and Wales at the latest available date; and what were the figures for June 1979.

Sir George Young

For Great Britain, at July 1979 it is estimated that there were 995,000 operatives employed in the construction industry compared with a provisional estimate of 752,000 at July 1984. In addition, there were some 343,000 self-employed workers in 1979 but by 1983 this number had increased to 413,000. Later data for self-employed persons are not available.

Information for the separate countries is not available.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the construction industry.

Sir George Young

The best prospects for increasing employment in the construction industry depend upon the continuing success of the Government's economic strategy—particularly firm control of the money supply, public expenditure and public borrowing, leading to lower interest rates and greater industrial confidence.

Output in the construction industry is recovering. In 1983 output (measured at constant 1980 prices) was £21.1 billion, an increase of 4.2 per cent. on 1982. In the first six months of 1984, output totalled £10.87 billion, an increase of 6 per cent. compared to the first six months of 1983. In the first eight months of 1984, new orders for construction amounted to £9 billion, an increase of 7 per cent. over the first eight months of 1983.

This recovery is led by the private sector, with new orders for industrial and commercial work in the first eight months of 1984 23 per cent. higher than the comparable period in 1983.

Overall employment in the industry, including the self-employed, is currently estimated at around 1½ million. It was broadly stable in 1982 and 1983.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures in the construction industry.

Sir George Young

The collection of unemployment statistics classified by individual industries was discontinued in May 1982.