§ Sir W. Elliottasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied with the criteria used in establishing unemployment figures for Newcastle upon Tyne; and if these criteria differ from those used in other districts in the county of Tyne and Wear.
§ Mr. GoldingI am satisfied with the criteria used for compiling unemployment statistics for Newcastle upon Tyne, which correspond with those for the rest of the county, and indeed the country as a whole. The statistics are compiled in respect of each employment office area. Unemployment rates are calculated for such areas either singly (if they are relatively self-contained labour markets) or grouped to form travel-to-work areas. Official statistics are not available for local authority districts.