Oral Answers to Questions — Employment – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 9 July 1991.
James Arbuthnot
, Wanstead and Woodford
12:00,
9 July 1991
To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the average rate of unemployment in the EC; and if he will make a statement.
James Arbuthnot
, Wanstead and Woodford
Will my hon. Friend confirm that the only large European Community countries that have a statutory national minimum wage, which the Labour party seems to want, are France and Spain, which both have higher unemployment than us?
Mr. Jackson:
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is part of the evidence of the job destruction effects of a minimum wage policy. The only people who doubt those effects are Opposition spokesmen, who display an attitude of blithe unconcern about the obvious consequence of the policy that they are following. Unemployment in Britain is below the EC average.
Mr James Lamond
, Oldham Central and Royton
Is not it remarkable that after 12 years of Tory Administration the economy of this great prosperous industrial nation is so fragile that, on the Government's admission, it cannot sustain the basic human right of a minimum wage?
John Butterfill
, Bournemouth West
As my hon. Friend is responsible for tourism, does he agree that a minimum wage, such as in Spain, would profoundly damage the tourism industry? Could not it lead to the unemployment and empty hotels that are evident throughout Benidorm?
Mr. Jackson:
The connection between minimum wages and the loss of employment opportunities is palpable, obvious and has been demonstrated. Opposition Members should recognise that.
Alan Beith
Shadow Spokesperson (Treasury)
Is the Minister trying to contend that unemployment in Britain is not high and rising? As the recession is likely to last longer than the Government predicted, is he now prepared to put some weight behind measures designed to ensure that people get work by seeing that more effort is made to rebuild schools and hospitals and to insulate homes?
Mr. Jackson:
The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the employment action programme that was announced a couple of weeks ago by my right hon. and learned Friend and which will provide such opportunities. Unemployment in Britain is below the European Community average. It is rising higher because we are at a different stage in the economic cycle, but last month's unemployment increase was the lowest since January, which gives some reason for hope.
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