asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress made in reducing the number of people who are wholly unemployed in Northern Ireland; if he will give the latest up to date figures; and how these figures compare with the same period last year.

There were 43,269 persons wholly unemployed (excluding school leavers) on 10th April, an increase of 5,387 over the same period last year.The recent economic initiatives specially designed to relieve Northern Ireland's chronic unemployment problem have not yet had the time to take effect. My right hon. Friend is considering urgently what further steps should be taken. The restoration of stable conditions in the Province will affect the success of all these measures.