§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the unemployment figures of Northern Ireland, to the latest available date; and how these figures compare with the development and special development areas in England. Scotland and Wales.
§ Mr. Peter MillsThe information is as follows:
TOTAL UNEMPLOYED ON 8TH OCTOBER 1973 Number Percentage of all employees Northern Ireland 27,562 5.3 Development Areas (including Special Development Areas) South Western 5,119 3.7 Merseyside 40,948 5.3 Northern 59,443 4.1 Scottish 75,941 3.9 Welsh 22,617 3.6 Special Development Areas West Central Scotland 43,751 4.8 Girvan 213 5.8 Leven and Methill 876 Separate percentage figure not available* Glenrothes 397 Livingston 317 North-East 36,796 4.9 West Cumberland 36,796 4.9 South Wales 7,670 3.6 * The percentage figure for the Kirkcaldy and Burnt island travel-to-work areas, which include the Leven and Methill and Glenrothes special development areas, was 3.9 per cent. The figure for the Bathgate, Broxburn and West Calder travel-to-work areas, which include the Livingston special development area, was 4.4 per cent. Separate percentage figures cannot be calculated for the special development areas.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the percentage of unemployed in Northern Ireland under 21 years of age to the latest available date; and how these figures compare with England, Scotland and Wales;
(2) what is the percentage of unemployed in Northern Ireland over 45 years of age to the latest available date; and how these figures compare with England. Scotland and Wales.
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§ Mr. Peter MillsThe statistics do not distinguish between unemployed people under 21 and those over that age.
Percentage of the unemployed Under age 18 Age 18–24 Age 45 and over Northern Ireland … September 1973 … 6.8 34.1 23.8 England … … July 1973 … … 4.3 22.0 44.7 Scotland … … July 1973 … … 6.9 25.1 34.8 Wales … … … July 1973 … … 4.9 24.0 41.1
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the measures taken to reduce unemployment in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MillsSince October last year unemployment in Northern Ireland has fallen by almost 10,000 to 27,562, the lowest October figure since 1965. This significant improvement reflects the expansion of economic activity throughout the United Kingdom as well as the wide range of measures introduced by the Government to deal with the special features of the employment situation in Northern Ireland. There remain, however, areas of Northern Ireland where unemployment is still unacceptably high. The Government will continue to give attention to the creation of more job opportunities in Northern Ireland.