HC Deb 14 November 1989 vol 160 cc163-4W
Mr. Parry

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to reduce the level of unemployment in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 13 November 1989]: The industrial development agencies (IDB and LEDU) are actively pursuing new job opportunities both from existing Northern Ireland companies and new inward investment. In the last financial year the agencies were particularly successful and achieved a record 10,657 jobs promoted with inward investment of 1,856 jobs. In addition, at August 1989, some 31,300 people were benefiting from special employment and training measures.

Mr. Parry

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to reduce unemployment among construction workers in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

[holding answer 13 November 1989]: Government expenditure is contributing substantially to the relatively high level of output by the Northern Ireland construction industry in which unemployment has fallen over the past three years.