§ 14. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is satisfied with the current level of unemployment; and what is his estimate of the effect of Great Britain's membership of the EEC on recent measures.
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§ Mr. FootNo. We have never disguised the fact that there are far too many unemployed workers in this country. The apportionment of money to schemes to create or preserve jobs was not affected by our membership of the EEC. As soon as this money was allocated application was made to the Social Fund for assistance with the cost of measures which fell within its scope and some £4 million has already been allocated for 1975.
§ 24. Mr. Tebbitasked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the increase in the number of persons unemployed since he took office in March 1974.
§ Mr. FootThe figures for January announced today show an increase in Great Britain of 782,000 compared with March 1974.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now announce further steps to reduce unemployment.
§ Mr. FootIt would be premature to bring in further measures until we have assessed the impact of the measures already announced including those announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17th December. We are keeping the unemployment situation under close and constant review and will not hesitate to modify existing measures or introduce new ones if the need and opportunity arise.