HC Deb 20 October 1982 vol 29 cc139-40W
Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the Province.

Mr. Adam Butler

The reduction of unemployment in Northern Ireland depends to a great extent on the recovery from recession of the United Kingdom and world economies. It also depends upon the success of our efforts to develop a broader industrial and commercial base; central to that task is our drive to promote the growth of a strong and viable private sector. The continued existence of the most generous industrial incentives in the United Kingdom and the creation of the new Industrial Development Board are evidence of the Government's efforts to this end. Furthermore, the implementation of the new youth training programme will provide a better trained and more adaptable work force.

The Government also recognises the need to alleviate unemployment in the short-term and the Department of Economic Development operates a number of schemes with the direct aim of reducing the level of unemployment. At 27 August 1982, the latest date for which figures are available, 21,100 adults and young persons were engaged in employment and training activities for which the Department of Economic Development is responsible or which it co-ordinates.

These activities include Government training centres and the attachment training scheme, whilst the Government are substantially expanding the action for community employment scheme and has recently announced a continuing role for Enterprise Ulster.

In addition a new job splitting scheme will be introduced on 3 January 1983. This scheme, which will be run on identical lines to its Great Britain equivalent, will assist employers to split existing full-time jobs and so open up more part-time job opportunities for unemployed persons claiming benefit.

Mr. Parry

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest level of unemployment in the Province.

Mr. Adam Butler

The most recent figures available are for 9 September 1982 when there was a total of 127,954 (22.3 per cent.) registered as unemployed in Northern Ireland.

This represents, another increase in the level of Northern Ireland's unemployment, but while I would not wish to deny the gravity of these figures, some slight encouragement can be taken from the slowing down in the rate of increase and a continuation of small, but nonetheless significant, increases in notified vacancies