§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report any communication received from or on behalf of EEC Commissioner Raymond Vouel which sets out his objections to the temporary employment subsidy, together with the Government's response.
§ Mr. GoldingNo.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Employment in which industrial sectors and United Kingdom regions the temporary employment subsidy is concentrated; if he will give information about prevailing rates of unemployment in these sectors and regions; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingThe TES is most heavily concentrated in the North-Western and Midlands Regions and within the textiles, clothing and footwear sectors of industry. The following is the latest information available:
Unadjusted unemployment rate at 12th January 1978 Cumulative total of jobs supported by TES at 27th January 1978 percentage North West 7.7 104,248 West Midlands 5.7 72,015 East Midlands 5.2
Unadjusted unemployment rate in November 1977 Estimate of number of jobs currently supported by TES at 31st December 1978 in Great Britain percentage Textiles 5.4 54,291 Clothing and Footwear 5.9 48,806 A separate scheme operates in Northern Ireland and is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications for temporary employment subsidy 287W are pending, subject to an extension of the scheme, after 31st March; what estimates of future take-up exist; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingI shall reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.