§ 23. Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people are employed in the Principality, at the latest available date, by employers who had no place of business in the Principality 10 years earlier.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThis information is not available in the form requested. However, on the basis of VAT returns, the stock of businesses in Wales rose by some 11,300 between 1979 and 1988. In addition, the Department's regional data system indicates that manufacturing units employing 10 or more and which have opened since 1979 currently provide 44,500 jobs.
§ 25. Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what are the latest unadjusted figures for unemployment in(a) Newport, (b) Gwent and (c) Wales; and if he will give the equivalent figures for 1979 on the most nearly comparable basis.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerOn 14 September 1989 the numbers of unemployment claimants in the Newport district, Gwent and Wales were 4,893, 14,970 and 90,594 respectively. Unadjusted figures for 1979 are not available on a basis that enables a valid comparison to be made. Unemployment in the hon. Gentleman's constituency was 87 per cent, higher when the Government was re-elected in June 1987 than it is today.