§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sums he has expended in each travel-to-work area in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years in order to increase the prospects of employment in each of the areas.
§ Mr. NeedhamInformation in the form requested is not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he intends to take during the current year to increase the employment prospects of(a) men and (b) women in (i) the Coleraine council area, (ii) the Limavady council area, (iii) the Magherafelt council area, (iv) the Londonderry council area and (v) the Strabane council area.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe full range of financial assistance and advice provided by the Department of Economic Development, the Industrial Development Board and the Training and Employment Agency and their associated public bodies is available to increase the employment prospects of both men and women in the five district council areas listed.
In addition, employment opportunities will be increased as a result of a number of Government-sponsored special initiatives. These include the 170W male civilian work force and the proportion in employment at December in each of the last three years are as follows:
December Male civilian workforce in employment1 (number) Male civilian work force (number) Males in employment as a percentage of male civilian work force 1988 340,340 419,960 81.0 1989 343,350 417,720 82.2 1990 348,090 421,260 82.6 1 Including the self-employed and those involved in work-related Government training schemes.