§ 6. Mr. James Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that there are over 45,000 unemployed persons in the age groups 45 to 64 years of age in South Wales, he is taking any special measures to provide suitable employment for the middle-aged and elderly unemployed?
§ Mr. E. BrownI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to him on 7th April.
§ Mr. GriffithsCan the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when the plans which he promised to deal with this problem will be announced?
§ Mr. BrownI have made it plain that this is a very grave and complicated problem for which there is no general solution. I have had a lot of representations made to me about it, and I should think that the appropriate occasion would be on the Estimates, when I shall be glad to make a full statement.
§ Mr. T. SmithWill the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that some action will be taken this Session, because this is a complaint which is fairly general?
§ Mr. BrownA good deal has been done, as the figures show. If hon. Members study the analysis of those over 55 who have been out of work for 12 months, they will see that the numbers are happily going down.