§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ButlerThe reduction of the present high level of unemployment in Northern. Ireland is heavily dependent on wider economic recovery Nationally the Government's policy is to create the conditions for a healthy economy and to help improve the competitiveness of British industry towards which the reduction of inflation continues to be crucial. There are positive signs of an upturn in economic activity in the United Kingdom, and the Government are determined to ensure that Northern Ireland is properly equipped to benefit to the full from this upturn.
To this end a number of important new economic measures were introduced in March this year. These measures further strengthened the competitiveness of the Northern Ireland industrial development incentives package. An additional stimulus to investment is provided by the recent agreement with the Republic of Ireland for the supply of natural gas to Northern Ireland.
The Industrial Development Board continues to stimulate the growth of indigenous industry and to encourage foreign investors to locate in Northern Ireland. In the former context it is important to note the healthy growth in the small firms sector where LEDU, the small business agency, promoted a record number of new jobs in the past year and is well on target to promote an even greater numbeer in the current year.
The Government will continue to give the highest economic priority to the creation of new job opportunities in Northern Ireland. Encouragement will also continue to be given to those currently unemployed to take full advantage of the wide range of training and employment measures that are available.