HC Deb 27 February 1936 vol 309 cc617-9
17. Mr. LESLIE

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the amount of unemployment in the Darling-

division juvenile employment bureau at the latest convenient date?

Mr. E. BROWN

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

ton rural district, particularly at Middleton St. George and adjoining parishes in the eastern part of the district; and, in view of the fact that the working-class population at Middleton St. George and Low Dinsdale are chiefly dependent upon the Linthorpe-Dinsdale smelting works, which have been entirely closed down for nearly five years, whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to schedule the district under the special areas?

Mr. E. BROWN

I am aware of the difficulties resulting from the closing of the Linthorpe-Dinsdale smelting works, but the industrial situation in the neighbourhood of Darlington as a whole has improved materially in the last 12 months and the percentage of unemployment is now little worse than in the country as a whole. It would not be practicable to deal with Middleton St. George and the adjoining parishes in the manner suggested, and I would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Westhoughton on the 12th December, 1935, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

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