HC Deb 13 November 1978 vol 958 cc34-5W
Mr. Tim Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in ascending order the percentage change in unemployment from February 1974 to the latest available date in Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and West Germany.

Mr. Golding

The percentage changes in the seasonally adjusted levels of unemployment between February 1974 and September 1978 based on national definitions are:

United States(1) … … + 29
Italy … … + 41
Canada(2) … … + 80
Japan … … + 81
West Germany … … + 118
United Kingdom … … + 139
France … … + 181
(1) Seasonally adjusted figures are not available. The change relates to the number of registered unemployed.
(2) Change to August 1978.

Sources: OECD Main Economic Indicators Statistical Office of the European Communities

Embassy reports

Mr. Tim Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in ascending order the unemployment rate for the third quarter of 1978 in Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and West Germany.

Mr. Golding

The rates of unemployment shown below are based on United States concepts and should be regarded only as approximate indicators of the levels of unemployment:

Japan(1) … … 2.3
West Germany … … 3.4
Italy(2) … … 3.6
United States … … 6.0
Great Britain(1)(3) … … 6.1
France … … 6.1
Canada … … 8.5
(1) Average of July and August.
(2) The rate for Italy is under review.
(3) The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not calculate a rate for the United Kingdom.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics.