§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Employment how the rise in the level of unemployment in the west midlands region currently compares with that of London and the south-east; and how it has compared with the same area in each year since 1979.
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§ Mr. Alan ClarkEstimates of unemployed claimants by region are available in the House of Commons Library. Comparisons are affected by the 1983 Budget provisions which enable some men, mainly aged 60 and over, to receive the long term rate of supplementary benefit and national insurance credits without having to sign on at an unemployment benefit office.