§ Ms MoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Luton, South constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156163]
§ Mr. CabornThe Department does not maintain statistical information at constituency level.
My hon Friend's constituents, like many others throughout Bedfordshire, will have benefited from my Department's Employment Rights policies which include the National Minimum Wage, Working Time Directive, Part Time Working Regulations and improved Maternity Leave.
In addition, the wards of Biscot, Crawley, Dallow, Farley, High Town. South and Stopsley are eligible for Regional Selective Assistance and the Enterprise Grant Scheme.
In the East of England region, my Department's policies have contributed to growth in employment by 105,000 and a fall in unemployment by 44,908; reductions in youth employment (under 24) by 43.3 per cent. and long-term unemployment (over 26 weeks) by 65.4 per cent.
In the constituency of Luton, South there has been a drop in unemployment by 2.1 per cent. (1,143 people), a reduction in youth unemployment (under 24) by 42 per cent. and a reduction in long term unemployment (over 26 weeks) by 59.3 per cent.