§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce long-term unemployment in the Province; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Adam Butler[pursuant to his reply, 8 June 1982]: It is the Government's view that the best hope for future employment prospects is the development of a stronger and more broadly based industrial and commercial economy with an increasing role being taken by the private sector, and the present emphasis within the public expenditure programme is to facilitate this. To this end, the 1982–83 public expenditure allocation provides some £125 million over previous plans for Northern Ireland. The major proportion of this increase has been allocated to programmes which, it is estimated, will provide 9,000 additional employment and training opportunities. At 30 April 1982 20,600 adults and young people were engaged in employment and training measures for which the Department of Manpower Services is responsible or which it co-ordinates. While all other schemes aimed at reducing unemployment are available to the long-term unemployed, there are two schemes aimed specifically at this group: Enterprise Ulster, which employs 1,350 adults—excluding administrative staff—and Action for Community Employment, which provides 950 places.