§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the average length of time a person spends unemployed in Wales in each year from 1980 to 1986.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsThe median* duration of unemployment for Wales, published by the Department of Employment is as follows:
Male and Female Weeks Completed spells of unemployment (computerised records only) July 1983—October 1983 11.8 July 1984—October 1984 11.3 July 1985—October 1985 11.3 July 1986—October 1986 12.1 Uncompleted spells of unemployment (all records) July 1983—October 1983 33.9 July 1984—October 1984 35.0 July 1985—October 1985 37.3 July 1986—October 1986 38.1 * The median duration is the length of time spent unemployed, which has been exceeded by 50 per cent, of the unemployed.