asked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent his Department uses unemployment statistics to help to determine policy and allocate priorities in the various regions.

Unemployment statistics are one of the indicators used by my Department in determining policy and allocating priorities both between and within regions. The actual take-up of resources in particular areas under the various schemes designed to alleviate unemployment which are administered by my Department and by the Manpower Services Commission depends to a large extent on the incidence of applications and on local initiatives.