§ 81. Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement upon the future prospects for employment in the east midlands.
§ Mr. LeeThe Government will continue to pursue sound economic policies designed to further reduce inflation and promote the growth of enterprise and investment in the east midlands and elsewhere which have so far created 1 million new jobs nationally since 1983. As part of this overall strategy, my Department and the Manpower Services Commission operate over 30 employment, training and enterprise measures which are described in the "Action for Jobs" booklet.
Over the last two years the number of employees in employment in the east midlands has increased and we see no reason why this trend cannot be maintained.
§ 100. Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about employment prospects for young people in Birmingham.
§ Mr. LeeThe Government will continue to pursue policies of sound financial management designed further to reduce inflation and to promote investment, enterprise and increased employment in Birmingham and throughout the country. These policies have so far produced over 1 million new jobs since 1983. We have been encouraged to note the fall in the youth unemployment in the Birmingham travel-to-work area, from 6,641 in April 1986 to 4,987 in April 1987, and are confident that this trend can be maintained.