Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Bone Excerpts

Monday 10th September 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hoban]

First, I thank my hon. Friend for his congratulations. We have a lot to do, but the numbers of people in work have increased since the Government came to office. I congratulate him on setting up the jobs fair and am delighted that Jobcentre Plus has worked with him to ensure that it is as effective as it can be so that it gets as many people in Harlow as possible into work.

[Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con)]

2. What recent assessment he has made of employment levels in the private sector.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mr Mark Hoban)]

The latest figures, covering February to April 2012, show almost 23.5 million people employed in the private sector. That is a rise of 222,000 on the previous quarter and more than 900,000 since 2010.

[Mr Bone]

What a splendid answer. Would the Minister like to increase that figure a little more? A company in my constituency has won an export order for 90 air conditioners to Egypt, but it is being blocked by red tape from the Foreign Office from carrying out the order. Could he provide some help and encouragement so that the order can happen?