Labour Statistics

Oral Answers to Questions — Duchy of Lancaster – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 27 April 1987.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Fred Silvester Mr Fred Silvester , Manchester, Withington 12:00, 27 April 1987

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many persons are employed by the Duchy in the north-west region.

Photo of Mr Fred Silvester Mr Fred Silvester , Manchester, Withington

Is my right hon. Friend also pleased that there has been a continuous fall in unemployment in the north-west during the past eight months in respect of both male and female unemployment, and that the percentage of unemployment is low compared with the previous period?

Photo of Mr Norman Tebbit Mr Norman Tebbit , Chingford

Indeed, and that contrasts starkly with the predictions made not that long ago by Labour party spokesmen to the effect that unemployment would rise inexorably and would exceed 5 million by the time of the next general election. As usual, another of their alarm scares and smears has been shown to be as untrue as they always have been.

Photo of Mr David Alton Mr David Alton , Liverpool Mossley Hill

Notwithstanding the welcome increase in employment prospects for people in the north-west, does the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster accept that there is a major problem of unemployment in the region and that only when the Government recognise the need to put money into construction projects, such as the creation of improved housing and the building of something like the Mersey barrage, will many of the unemployed in that important sector find work?

Photo of Mr Norman Tebbit Mr Norman Tebbit , Chingford

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says about the major problem of unemployment that still exists in the region, but it would be foolish to return to the policies that brought about that structural imbalance in the region—high public spending, state intervention and things of that sort. Of course there is a need for infrastructure spending, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport will shortly have something to say on our roads programme. Of course it has been right to help Liverpool by giving it the amount of urban aid grant that we have. Of course it is right to improve the water supply in the north-west. But in the long term the salvation of the north-west will be the private sector of enterprise creating firms which produce goods that people wish to buy.