HC Deb 25 April 1985 vol 77 c515W
22. Mr. Pike

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received regarding his Budget proposals and the likely effect on unemployment levels.

Mr. Peter Rees

The Government have received many representations commending them for introducing a Budget that will increase employment.

36. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has made any up-to-date assessment of employment trends following his Budget statement.

Mr. Peter Rees

The most recent employment estimates, published since the Budget, indicate further substantial growth in the employed labour force in the fourth quarter of 1984, bringing the total increase in the year to December 1984 to about 340,000. Thus there is a strong rising trend in employment, and prospects have been improved substantially by the measures announced in my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

38. Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many jobs the cut in national insurance contributions in the recent Budget will create.

Mr. Peter Rees

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Eggar).