HC Deb 05 May 1938 vol 335 cc999-1001
1. Mr. W. Joseph Stewart

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in the county boroughs of Sunderland and South Shields there are 21,084 persons unemployed, among whom there are 3,498 men skilled in shipbuilding and repairing and 721 men skilled in marine and general engineering; and what steps is he taking with a view to having these men employed in Government or some other work at a time when there is a demand for skilled labour?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Lennox-Boyd)

The figures to which the hon. Member refers are the total numbers of men aced 18–64 who were recorded as unemployed at 14th March last in the shipbuilding and repairing and the general and marine engineering industries. It has been ascertained as a result of a special inquiry that the number of men at present registering for employment in the skilled shipbuilding occupations at these Exchanges, is 1,193, of whom a large proportion are men temporarily stopped or workers normally engaged in ship repair work. Those who are available and suitable for employment elsewhere will be submitted for any vacancies that arise. As regards engineering workers, the total number of wholly unemployed men at present registering for employment as tool makers, erectors, fitters, turners, tool setters and machinists at these Exchanges is 243. Men registering in the skilled engineering occupations at these Employment Exchanges have been interviewed from time to time by representatives of employers; and the majority of those, who owing to the recent incidence of their unemployment have not been so interviewed are under submission to vacancies.

Mr. Stewart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in April, 1937, the percentage of unemployment in Sunderland was 25.6 and to-day it is 25.8, and that in South Shields in 1937 it was 29.3 and to-day, 28.9, a drop of 4 decimal points; and will he state whether the Government intend to do anything worth while for these two large county boroughs where the percentage of unemployment remains persistently high?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have answered the question on the Paper. The hon. Member will appreciate that all really skilled men who come into either category are likely to find employment through the facilities available, and steps are being taken to secure it.

Mr. Stewart

If there is a dearth of skilled men in other parts of the country, why should we have in South Shields and in the county borough of Sunderland such a large percentage of unskilled unemployed men who are needed in other areas?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There is, as the hon. Member will recognise, no unsatisfied demand at the moment for skilled workers for shipbuilding. In regard to the other category of engineers, a good number of the people mentioned in my answer are sea-going engineers who have signed on between voyages, and, apart from that, employers come regularly to these Exchanges both from the local division and outside, and all men who satisfy their requirements for skilled labour are taken on as speedily as possible.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is it not a terrible commentary on the mismanagement of the affairs of this country that 243 highly skilled special engineers are unemployed?

Mr. Ede

Will the hon. Gentleman consider bringing to the notice of the Admiralty the number of skilled shipbuilding workers that there are available in this district with a view to sending Admiralty work to be carried out in the yards at South Shields, instead of taking the men away and leaving capital as well as labour idle?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I will see that that suggestion is borne in mind.