HC Deb 27 February 1997 vol 291 cc329-30W
12. Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the trends in long-term unemployment in Northern Ireland. [16371]

Mr. Ancram

At 9 January 1997, there were 34,441 long-term unemployed in Northern Ireland, a reduction of 8,297, or 17.8 per cent., compared with a year earlier.