§ 28. Mr. WicksTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate of the effect on tax revenues of changes in the level of unemployment in the south-east over the last year.
§ Mr. DorrellIt is not possible to provide reliable estimates of the effects.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the President of the European Commission's call for an emergency summit of the Group of Seven to co-ordinate measures to tackle unemployment.
§ Mr. Nelson[holding answer 26 February 1993]: The Japanese Prime Minister is currently the chair of the Group of Seven and it is for him to respond to this proposal. On Saturday my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer hosted an informal meeting of the G7 Finance Ministers and central bank governors. 242W Concern was expressed about the high level of unemployment in all countries and there was agreement on the need to strengthen non-inflationary growth. This meeting was in part to fulfil last year's economic summit request to Finance Ministers to strengthen co-operation and to intensify work to reduce obstacles to growth and thereby foster employment.