HC Deb 16 May 1996 vol 277 c564W
19. Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were(a) the highest and (b) the lowest levels of unemployment recorded in the period of each Parliament since 1979. [28508]

Mrs. Angela Knight

Figures for claimant unemployment are:

Million
Parliament Highest Lowest
May 1979 to May 1983 2.78 1.04
June 1983 to May 1987 3.12 2.80
June 1987 to March 1992 2.84 1.59
May 1992 2.98 2.18