asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered as unemployed, including school leavers, in the North-East at the latest convenient date.

33,840 including 208 school leavers, at 8th March.

As the figures have remained relatively high compared with the national average, has my right hon. Friend any proposals for dealing with this matter? Is he aware that for at least the last five years there has been a lot of bragging by successive Tory Governments about what they have done for the North-East? Do these figures reflect a remarkable improvement?

Yes, indeed, Sir. While I recognise that unemployment in the North-East is still relatively high, there has been a considerable improvement in this year. Unemployment fell by more than 2,000 between February and March, this year, and there are now almost 11,000 fewer unemployed than a year ago. Assistance amounting to nearly £30 million has been given under the Local Employment Acts and about 37,000 new jobs are expected to arise from new building and other developments notified to the Board of Trade. About two-thirds of those new jobs will go to males.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his Answer conclusively shows that much of the improvement has taken place since the Labour Party came to office?

Will the right hon. Gentleman acknowledge that the facts which he has just given are a most impressive record of the results of Tory planning and Tory administration? Will he advise his right hon. Friend to read the publications of the Conservative Central Office?

All I know is that over the last six months there has been a drive which has resulted in these figures.