HC Deb 16 February 1982 vol 18 cc104-5W
Mr. Concannon

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he intends to alter the manner in which Northern Ireland's unemployment estimates are calculated in line with the changes to be introduced in Great Britain in October 1982.

Mr. Adam Butler

Yes.

Mr. Concannon

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people are presently out of work in Northern Ireland; and what proportion of the total working population that unemployment figure represents.

Mr. Adam Butler

A total of 113,337 people were registered as unemployed on 14 January 1982, the latest date for which figures are available. This represents 17.4 per cent. of the total working population, which comprises employees in employment, the self-employed and the unemployed.

Mr. Concannon

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give an estimate for the number of unregistered, unemployed women in the Province.

Mr. Adam Butler

There is no reliable information available on which estimates could be based.

Mr. Concannon

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of the total currently unemployed in the Province falls within the age group of 18 to 21 years.

Mr. Adam Butler

Information is not readily available for the 18–21 years age group. The table below shows the proportion of the unemployed in the 18–20 age group at 14 January 1982.

Age Group Proportion of total unemployment
18–20 12 per cent.

Mr. Concannon

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the present rate of male unemployment in each of the following travel-to-work areas, Strabane, Dungannon, Newry, Cookstown, Enniskillen, Londonderry and Belfast.

Mr. Adam Butler

The most recent figures are for 14 January 1982 and are as follows:

Per cent
Strabane 48.1
Dungannon 40.5
Newry 37.9
cookstown 39.5
Enniskillen 30.6
Londonderry 35.1
Belfast 18.2