§ Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister which Minister currently has overall responsibility for co-ordinating Government actions to reduce unemployment; and whether, in view of the priority accorded by Her Majesty's Government to the reduction of unemployment, she will ensure that that Minister is in a position to call for and study all possible responses to this problem, including earlier retirement, paying an allowance to young people to stay in full-time education and a fresh package of measures to help construction and work sharing.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government's strategy to create the conditions for a healthy and competitive economy—the principal means by which a sustainable reduction in unemployment will be achieved—is a matter of collective responsibility involving the Departmental functions of a number of Ministers. The Government's programme of special employment and training measures designed specifically to reduce unemployment in the short term is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment and is kept under regular review.