HC Deb 26 May 1977 vol 932 c582W
Mr. Canavan

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current rate of unemployment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Golding

At 12th May the rate of unemployment for Great Britain was 5.6 per cent. There has been a slight fall in the numbers out of work this month, including school leavers, and another small rise in vacancies but the rate is still far too high. As to future prospects, we are unlikely to see a significant decline in unemployment in the near future.