§ 57. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Labour how many persons are unemployed at Wigan; and what percentage' that number is of the population.
§ Mr. IsaacsAt 8th April, the latest date for which figures are at present available, the number of unemployed insured persons aged 14 years and over, suitable for ordinary employment, on the registers of employment exchanges and juvenile employment bureau in Wigan was 3,100. This represented 7.9 per cent, of the estimated insured population at July, 1945, as indicated by the number of unemployment insurance books exchanged at the same offices.
§ Sir W. SmithersCould the right hon. Gentleman persuade His Majesty's Government to remove as many regulations as possible and give a free rein to free enterprise, thus speeding up the absorption of these unemployed?
§ Mr. IsaacsI can only say that I am in contact on this matter with the hon. Member who represents Wigan (Mr. W. Foster).
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that heavy unemployment in the Wigan area, part of which is in my own constituency, was caused, during the last 25 years, by private enterprise?
§ Mr. H. HyndBefore the right hon. Gentleman removes any more of these Regulations will he have regard to the chaos now facing the United States of America?