Orders of the Day — Unemployment

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 29 April 1971.

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Photo of Mr Robert Carr Mr Robert Carr , Mitcham 12:00, 29 April 1971

—and that is what we are going to bring about. I believe that an increasing number of the British people understand this. We shall bring the rate of inflation down, and when we do so we shall be able to give the full green light for reflation.

In a free society this very largely depends on the degree of responsibility shown by trade unions and managements in this country. We will create a climate to enable them and help them to do so, but, in the end, it is up to them. The quicker this level of settlements comes down, the quicker will unemployment be able to come down, too.

Meanwhile, in the recent Budget, by taking £1,000 million off the annual rate of taxation, compared with the £3,000 million annual rate added by the Labour Government, we have taken the first fundamental step to prepare for a soundly based expansion as soon as the level of pay settlements moderates. That is the basis of our policy.

I turn finally to some aspects of my Department's work. Although what we do in my Department cannot create jobs, the more effectively we can carry out our employment services the more quickly can we get people to the jobs which exist.