§ 2. Mr. Shortasked the Minister of Labour whether he will arrange for the figures of employment and unemployment for the mining areas of Adwick-le-Street and Bentley, respectively, to be separated from those of the town of Doncaster?
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)The statistics of unemployment regularly compiled by my Department necessarily relate to Employment Exchange areas. There is no separate Employment Exchange at Adwick-le-Street or Bentley, which are both served by the Doncaster Employment Exchange. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to do as the hon. Member suggests.
§ 35. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Labour the reason for the increase in the numbers of unemployed recorded in the present week; and whether there is any likelihood of a further increase during the winter months?
§ Mr. BrownThe increase in unemployment between 13th September and 18th October is accounted for almost entirely by increases in industries which are usually subject to a seasonal decline in employment at this time of the year. As the hon. Member knows, the total in October was about 166,400 lower than in October of last year. In the normal course the seasonal decline is accentuated in November and in the early months of the year, but I cannot say how far this tendency will be counterbalanced by other factors in the coming winter months.
§ Mr. George GriffithsIs it not a good job for the Front Bench that the figures came out a fortnight too late for the King's Speech?