§ Mr. Craigenasked the Paymaster General in which employment regions of the United Kingdom skill shortages have emerged; if he will quantify the number of unfilled vacancies arising from skill shortages; and in which industries.
§ Mr. LeeDifficulties in recruiting skilled labour have been reported in all regions, particularly the south-east. There are no comprehensive figures available on the number of unfilled vacancies in the economy arising from skill shortages. A survey of vacancies held by jobcentres in April 1986 estimated that 5,535, or 3.3 per cent. of them, had remained unfilled for two months or more due to a lack of people with the relevant skills or expertise. Jobcentres are believed to handle about one third of vacancies.