§ 92. Mr. McKayasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much unemployment has increased since 12th June, 1961, amongst males and females, respectively; and what action he is taking to get these numbers reduced.
§ Sir E. BoyleBetween June, 1961, and January, 1962, the number of unemployed males increased by 155,000 and of unemployed females by 40,000. About half of the total increase in attributed to normal seasonal factors. The maintenance of a high and stable level of employment is one of the principal and permanent aims of Government economic policy; but all Governments since the war have recognised that some fluctuation in the level of unemployment within a limited range has to be accepted. Allowing for the seasonal factors, I do not regard the present level of unemployment as inconsistent with the Government's employment policy.