HC Deb 06 November 1972 vol 845 cc77-8W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the percentage decrease in male wholly unemployed figures in the West Midlands and Scotland since the introduction of the Government's new regional and industrial development policies.

Mr. Dudley Smith

Taking 13th March, 1972, as the unemployment count date approximating to the introduction of the policies mentioned, the fall between then and October in the numbers of males registered as unemployed, except temporarily stopped workers, in the West Midlands and Scotland has been 19.6 per cent. and 12.9 per cent., respectively.

Mr. Donald Stewart

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many unemployed youths there are in Scotland for every notified vacancy; and what is the corresponding situation in Greater London.

Mr. Dudley Smith

For Scotland 6.3, and for Greater London 0.4. The unemployment figures used in the calculation relate to both boys and girls. The vacancy figures relate only to notified vacancies remaining unfilled and do not purport to measure the total unsatisfied demand for labour.