§ 3. Mr. PALINGasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed in the Hoyland area; and what percentage of the number of insured persons such a number represents?
§ Mr. E. BROWNOn 23rd November, the latest date for which statistics have been compiled, there were 1,984 persons, insured and uninsured, on the registers of the Hoyland Employment Exchange. The number of insured persons recorded as unemployed at the same date was 1,869, of whom 1,009 were wholly unemployed (i.e., out of a situation) and 860 were absent from work owing to short time or temporary suspension from their employment. If the numbers of insured persons recorded as unemployed are expressed as percentages of the total number of persons (estimated at about 5,000) holding unemployment books issued through the Hoyland Employment Exchange, the resulting percentages are: wholly unemployed, 20.2 per cent.; temporarily suspended, 17.2 per cent. I understand, however, that there are substantial numbers of insured persons in Hoyland holding unemployment books issued through Employment Exchanges in other localities. While precise information is not available as to the number of such persons, it would appear that the total number of insured persons in Hoyland is considerably in excess of 5,000 and that the actual percentages of unemployment among insured persons generally in that district will, therefore, be appreciably lower than those indicated by the above calculations.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it the intention to include such areas in the legislation for Special Areas?
§ Mr. PALINGIs not all the trouble that has arisen in this House due to the 2597 fact that hon. Members are continually asking that not only Special Areas should be recognised as such, but that other areas equally hardly hit and not recognised should be dealt with?
§ Mr. BROWNThat is a general question to which I have given an answer, and it is under consideration in view of the Bill to be introduced in the following Session.
§ Mr. PALINGIs that specially being considered? Have the Government already decided whether these districts should have something done for them or not?