§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, pursuant to his Written Answer of 26th July 1976, c. 78–9, he continues to estimate the expected level of unemployment at the end of 1979 to be 700,000; and, if not, what is the new estimate.
§ Mr. GoldingThe Government have repeatedly stressed that the figure of 700,000 was an ambitious target; not a forecast.
When we reach our objective of sustainable full employment depends upon our performance in world markets.
§ Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons are now unemployed.
§ Mr. Golding,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 22nd December 1976; Vol. 923, c. 154], gave the following additional information:
Because of industrial action by some staff in the Department of Employment Group, it was not possible to complete the full count of unemployment in December 1976. However, estimates and returns were received from just over half the country and thus an estimated national total has been published. The latest available information therefore relates to 9th December 1976 when, it is estimated, 1,316,000 people were registered as unemployed in Great Britain.