§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what study he has made of the 10.5 per cent. July level of unemployment in the Rugeley area; what steps he is taking to reduce this figure; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what study he has made of the 14 per cent. July level of unemployment in the Cannock area; what steps he is taking to reduce this figure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim LesterAn unemployment rate can be used as a valid measure of an area's overall need for jobs only if it relates to a self-contained labour market area, or travel-to-work area. Rugeley and Cannock are both in the Walsall TTWA, where the unemployment rate in July 1980 was 9.7 per cent.
Nevertheless, I accept that this figure is too high. In the longer term, the measures we are taking to bring down inflation offer the best hope for improving the employment prospects in the Walsall TTWA and elsewhere. In the meantime our special employment measures, which have already helped a considerable number of people in the area, continue to be available.