§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the unemployment figures, as at present compiled, give a true assessment of the number of people out of work who are intending to work or are available to work.
§ Mr. Maurice MacmillanThe monthly unemployment figures give the numbers registered for employment at my Department's local offices. A full discussion of these figures was given in the White Paper on Unemployment Statistics (Cmnd. 5157, November 1972). I am satisfied that they provide a reliable indicator of changes in the level of unemployment. As recommended in the White Paper further studies on the characteristics of the unemployed are being made.