§ 39. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will initiate a study into the implications for employment in the United Kingdom of the growing deficit in manufacturing trade with the Common Market.
§ Mr. GummerNo. I am satisfied that United Kingdom membership of the Community results in major employment advantages for our people. It gives us access to an internal market of 270 million people and the successful efforts of many of our companies and their employees to export to this market—so far this year 38 per cent. of all our exports of manufactured goods have gone to our European partners— sustain and create a large number of jobs in both manufacturing and service industries. The more competitive we can become, the more favourable will be the employment consequences of our membership of the Community.
§ 59. Mr. John Smithasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the prospects of employment for the long-term unemployed.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkLike its predecessors, the Government do not publish unemployment forecasts for the long-term unemployed. The principal way in which we can help these people is by laying the basis of a sound economy and creating the conditions for growth. As part of this economic strategy the Government continue to operate a range of special employment and training measures to help unemployed people. These include the community programme, which is specifically designed for the long-term unemployed, and which, as my right hon. Friend has recently announced—[Vol. 48, c.481.]—has now been extended for a further two years.