§ 20. Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about proposals to reduce unemployment in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ButlerEconomic activity in the Province is improving and this is helping to stabilise the employment situation. However the rate of unemployment remains high. This is partly due to the increased number of people of working age who have entered the labour market in recent years. However there are some encouraging signs.
The small business sector has been particularly buoyant and the Local Enterprise Development Unit has demonstrated marked success in fostering new business start-ups. Despite the difficult economic times there are welcome signs of re-investment with the support of the Industrial Development Board by major companies already established in Northern Ireland. I have also been heartened by the ability of Shorts, and Harland and Wolff, to compete for and win business in the most competitive of industrial sectors. Government intend to build on this progress and to strengthen and develop the local industrial base to ensure that the Province can take full advantage of the growing national and international economic recovery.
593WIn the shorter term a comprehensive range of employment and training measures directly reduces the level of unemployment and develops skills which will be needed in a period of renewed economic growth.