§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he has given, in conjuction with other EEC Employment Ministers, to European Commission document 9248/84, on action to combat long-term unemployment in the Community; what steps they intend to take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Mr. Silvester) on 21 December 1984, at columns 387–88. As the final text of the resolution on action to combat long-term unemployment recognises, the problem cannot be resolved without policies designed to achieve economic recovery, and the Government will continue to pursue such policies.