HC Deb 17 July 1984 vol 64 cc139-40W
Mr. Maples

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if his Department has carried out any studies of microeconomic policies which might increase employment.

Mr. Peter Morrison

This Department supports wide-ranging studies into labour market issues with the objective of assisting Government policy making. The programme includes studies of employment, industrial relations, pay and prices, and other areas of policy interest. Details of the programme, which is carried out both within the Department and by outside organisations with the help of Department finance, are to be found in "Research 1983–84" (PL 746). A copy of this report is in the House of Commons Library.

However, employment growth in the economy is dependant on the ability of producers to compete effectively and produce what the consumer wants and no study of the labour market will as such bring this about.

Mr. Maples

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if his Department carried out any studies of macroeconomic policies which might increase employment.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Department carries out studies which attempt to evaluate the employment aspects of various policy measures, for example, the effects of aggregate demand, relative earnings and social security benefits on employment. These are described in the publication "Research 1983–84" (projects number 3085, 3285, 3320 respectively as well as 3105).