§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures he proposes to reduce unemployment in the construction industry in the Province; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe Government recognise the importance of the construction industry to the Northern Ireland economy. This was borne in mind when deciding Northern Ireland's public expenditure allocations for 1985–86, which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 12 December 1984, at column 499. Full details have yet to be worked out, but I would expect planned capital expenditure next year to exceed £600 million, representing a real increase over this year's final figure.
391WThis level of public expenditure should help to reduce still further unemployment in the construction industry, which has fallen by almost 1,000 as compared with this time last year.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many workers were employed in the construction industry in the Province in June 1979 and at the latest available date.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThere were 37,150 employees in employment in the construction industry in Northern Ireland at June 1979. The corresponding figure at September 1984 (the latest available information) was 23,970 (provisional). Figures for Northern Ireland employment on a quarterly basis are available in the Library.