§ Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has as to the number of percentage points rise in unemployment in each of the developed countries in 1980, 1981 and 1982.
§ Mr. GummerFollowing is the available information for 20 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Countries:
Change in the Unadjusted Percentage Rate of Unemployment, National Definitions, in the Twelve Months to December Percentage points 1980 1981 1982 Australia -0.1 nc +3.3 Austria +0.5 +1.2 +1.3 Belgium +2.1 +1.7 +2.2 Canada +0.1 +1.4 +4.2 Denmark +3.2 +1.4 +0.1 Finland -0.8 +0.6 +1.0 France +0.9 -2.0 +0.4 Germany (FR) +1.0 -2.5 +1.8 Greece +0-5 +0.2 +1.1 Ireland +2.8 +1.3 +2.7 Italy +0.8 +1.4 +1.6 Japan +0.2 nc +0.2 Luxembourg +0.1 +0.4 +0.3 Netherlands +2.4 +3.5 +3.9 Norway +0.3 +0.3 +1.3 Spain +2.2 +2.7 +3.0 Sweden +0.3 +0.9 +0.3 Switzerland -0.1 +0.1 -0.5 United Kingdom +3.4 +2.9 +1.5 United States +1.3 +1.4 +2.2 nc: No change
Sources: OECD 'Main Economic Indicators'; Statistical Office of the European Communities 'Unemployment' bulletins; and labour attache reports etc.
§ Mr. Proctorasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the total level of unemployed ethnic minority group workers as a percentage of the ethnic minority work force at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe 1981 labour force survey shows that in the second quarter of 1981 17 per cent. of the ethnic minority work force in Great Britain were seeking work.