§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of unemployed under 21 years of age in the Province at the latest date.
§ Mr. ViggersThe number is 22,106 as at 14 May 1987.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the number of long-term unemployed in the Province at the latest date.
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§ Mr. ViggersAt 14 May 1987, 65,313 claimants had been continuously unemployed for more than one year in Northern Ireland, representing 51.8 per cent. of unemployed claimants in the Province on that date.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce unemployment in the Province.
§ Mr. ViggersThe Government continue to pursue a series of measures designed to reduce unemployment. These include the substantial measures to secure new jobs in Northern Ireland through the Industrial Development Board, the Local Enterprise Development Unit and through a unique framework of financial assistance distributed to that end. They also include an extensive programme of employment and training measures which include Action for Community Employment, Enterprise Ulster, the new workers scheme, jobclubs, restart, the new job training programme, the enterprise allowance scheme and the youth training programme.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figures in the Province.
§ Mr. ViggersAt 14 May 1987 there were 126,105 unemployed claimants in Northern Ireland. representing 18.4 per cent. of the working population.
The Government recognise the seriousness of the unemployment problem in the Province and continues to give a high priority to employment, training and enterprise programmes. Besides having a direct impact on the unemployment situation these programmes should also help to improve the conditions for economic growth in the Province.