HC Deb 14 March 1978 vol 946 cc192-4W
Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the number unemployed as a percentage of the total labour force in the United Kingdom on average over the period of 1970 to 1974, and for 1975, 1976 and 1977; and what were the comparable figures for each member State of the EEC.

France Germany Italy Great Britain
1970–1974 … 3.0 1.0 3.3* 3.4
1975 … 4.3 3.7 3.2 4.7
1976 … 4.6 3.6 3.6 6.1
1977 … 5.2 3.5 3.3 7.0
* 1972–1974.

Note: Figures are calculated by applying annual adjustment factors to current published national data, and therefore should be viewed only as approximate indicators of unemployment under United States concepts.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor.

Information for other member countries of the EEC, on a national basis, and not comparable with each other or

Belgium§ Ireland§ Denmark║ Netherlands║
1970–1974 … 3.8* 7.5 1.8* 2.3‡
1975 … 6.7 12.2 6.0 4.8‡
1976 … 8.6 12.3 6.7 5.5
1977 … 9.9 12.0† 7.4 5.3
* 1973–1974.
† Based on 10 months data.
‡ Estimated.
§ Insured unemployed as percentages of total insured population.
║ Numbers registered at employment offices as percentages of total employees.

Mr. Golding,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 28th February; Vol. 945, c. 157–8], gave the following answer:

Following is the comparable information adjusted to United States concepts:

United States concepts is shown below. Unemployment in Luxembourg is negligible.