§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what is the latest number of those under 21 years in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the west midlands and (c) the black country area of the west midlands who have been unemployed for 12 months and more; what was the percentage increase in each case since the changes in recording these figures; and what was the date on which the change took effect;
(2) what is the latest number of those aged 45 years and over in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the west midlands and (c) the black country area of the west midlands who have
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Claimants unemployed for over one year—11 April 1985 Aged under 20 years† Aged 45 years and over Total all ages April 1985 Increase since October 1982‡ per cent. April 1985 Increase since October 1982‡ per cent. April 1985 Increase since October 1982‡ per cent. United Kingdom 110,233 24.4 432,552 11.6 1,334,161 34.9 West Midlands 13,082 14.9 55,058 7.5 164,180 26.6 Black country area* 4,084 23.7 17,456 10.3 51,458 30.0 Also, changes in average earnings may reflect changes in the structure of employment and do not necessarily correspond to equivalent changes in rates of pay for comparable jobs.