§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people in(a) Alyn and Deeside and (b) Clwyd are (i) long-term unemployed and (ii) unemployed in the age group 18 to 24 years; and if he will make a statement. [9554]
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesIn October 1995 the number of claimants in the Alyn and Deeside constituency who were long-term unemployed—over 52 weeks—was 617; the number of claimants in the age group 18 to 24 years was 621. The corresponding figures for Clwyd were 3,794 and 3,780, respectively. Over the last two years, the numbers in each of these categories have fallen by between a fifth and a third.