§ 5. Mr. Molsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the growth of unemployment as a consequence of the concentration of industry; and if he has any statement to make?
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Dalton)As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Production said in the House last Wednesday, unemployment is not increasing but decreasing, despite recent substantial changes in production programmes. If, however, my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases he has in mind, I shall be glad to look into them in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service.
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesWhile it may be true that unemployment is decreasing all over the country, is not my right hon. Friend aware that it is increasing in certain parts of the country?
§ Mr. DaltonNo, Sir, not as a consequence of concentration. There were some temporary increases of unemployment by reason of the switchover of production workers, but I make the same offer to my hon. Friend as I have already made in other directions, that if he will give me particulars, I will do my utmost in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour to see that those workers are absorbed.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsIs it not the case that unemployment is inside the works and is being concealed by the official figures?