HC Deb 21 February 1985 vol 73 cc558-9W
24. Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will indicated how far he estimates labour costs would need to fall for unemployment to halve.

Mr. Hayhoe

Treasury estimates indicate that if real wages had remained constant since 1981 instead of rising by about 3 per cent. a year employment might in time have been 1 million to 2 million higher.