§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider introducing a spectrum of unemployment measures similar to the U1-U7 classifications adopted by the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe information required to compile the U1-U7 measures is available from the labour force survey database which is publicly released each quarter. Any United Kingdom decision to publish such measures in their own right will be taken only in consultation with the relevant international organisations, and following consideration of the recent decision by the United States Bureau of Labour Statistics to suspend publication of all but one of these measures pending their review.