HC Deb 27 October 1987 vol 121 cc220-1W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the current levels of unemployment in France, Italy, West Germany., the United States of America and the United Kingdom respectively; and what were the comparable figures of the calendar years 1973 and 1982, respectively, for each country.

Mr. Lee

Following is the information requested. The figures are not fully comparable becaue of national differences in definitions and the methods of compiling the statistics.

Thousands
Current level (Seasonally adjusted—latest month) Annual average
1973 1982
France 2,638 (July) 394 2,000
Italy 3,233 (May) 1,005 2,163
West Germany 2,255 (September) 274 1,855
United States of America 7,221 (August) 4,365 10,678
United Kingdom1 2,775 (September) 545 2,626
1 Excluding school leavers on consistent basis, allowing for changes in coverage.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing, in respect of the most recent date for which figures are available, the percentage of unemployed men in France, Belgium, West Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States of America respectively, who have been unemployed for a year or more; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

The information requested is given in the following table. The figures are not directly comparable because of national differences in definitions and methods of compiling the statistics. In particular, the figures for the United States of America are based on surveys rather than registrations at unemployment offices.

Percentage of unemployed men who were unemployed for a year or more in 1986
Per cent.
France 28
Belgium 52
West Germany 32
United Kingdom 46
United States of America 11