HC Deb 15 December 1938 vol 342 cc2145-7
9. Sir William Jenkins

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed workers in the Pontardawe Rural District Council's, Neath Rural District Council's, and Neath Borough Council's area for 1930, 1935, 1937, and the latest available date this year, in mining, steel trade, tinplate trade, agriculture, transport, and miscellaneous?

Mr. E. Brown

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

— Persons insured under the General Scheme. Persons insured under the Agricultural Scheme.
Coal Mining. Other Mining and Quarrying. Steel Melting and Rolling, etc. Tin Plates. Transport and Communication. All other Industries and Services.
Pontardawe.
24th November, 1930 149 — 387 869 3 91 *
25th November, 1935 68 2 61 496 3 323 *
15th November, 1937 40 3 64 79 14 255 5
14th November, 1938 54 5 139 609 15 269 2
Resolven.
24th November, 1930 247 2 1 81 7 73 *
25th November, 1935 264 2 — 27 6 199 *
15th November, 1937 123 — — 3 9 151 4
14th November, 1938 84 2 — 27 1 142 —
Neath.
24th November, 1930 1,506 4 1,271 1,625 132 1,397 *
25th November, 1935 997 7 138 1,973 90 2,179 *
15th November, 1937 203 10 375 581 69 1,415 7
14th November, 1938 631 11 733 1,029 100 1,894 12
* Figures not available. Persons in Agricultural occupations first became insurable against unemployment in May 1936.

such assessments which included an additional allowance under the Unemployment Assistance (Winter Adjustments) Regulations, 1938; and in column (c) the average weekly value of those additions.

Following is the statement:

The available unemployment figures relate to the numbers registered at Employment Exchanges within the areas named.

The following table shows the numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64, in the industries referred to in the question recorded as unemployed at a date in November of the years 1930, 1935, 1937, and 1938, at the Pontardawe, Resolven and Neath Employment Exchanges.

10. Sir W. Jenkins

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of finding work for the unemployed in the distressed areas of South Wales in removing the unsightly buildings, etc., where industries have definitely closed down to make the sites more attractive for new industries and to improve the amenities in the depressed areas?

Mr. Brown

The Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) has acquired sites in South Wales and large areas have been cleared with a view to their utilisation for industrial purposes. He has under consideration the desirability of effecting further clearance on one of these sites and would be prepared to undertake further schemes if the need arose. It is not proposed, however, that he should depart from his policy of not giving assistance to public works for the sake of the employment thereby provided.

Sir W. Jenkins

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the Commissioner for the Special Areas is making an attempt to assist South Wales at the present moment; and has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement he made to the Press this week when attending a dinner in London?

Mr. Brown

I am sure that he is making every attempt to assist South Wales, as this answer will show.

Mr. Lawson

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the powers of the Commissioners are sufficient to do this work in the Special Areas?

Mr. Brown

Undoubtedly.