§ 9. Brigadier Mackesonasked the Minister of Labour what representations 957 have been made to his Department regarding future unemployment in Folkestone which will be caused by the ban on foreign travel, the abolition of the basic petrol ration and drastic curtailment of building work; and what action he proposes to take.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Ness Edwards)Towards the end of September, the Folkestone and District Employment Committee brought to my notice their concern about the employment position in the town in the immediate future. At mid-September, 105 insured persons were registered as unemployed, representing 0.8 per cent. of the estimated insured population. There is always some increase in unemployment at seaside towns at the end of the season, but the mid-October unemployment figure of 168 represents only 1.3 per cent. This percentage is no higher than that for October, 1946; and this is lower than the unemployment percentage for the country as a whole. The position is being closely watched by my officers and those of other Departments' concerned, and everything possible is being done to put those who are unemployed in touch with suitable alternative work.
§ Brigadier MackesonWill the Parliamentary Secretary look into this again, in view of the very unfortunate effect which the cessation of traffic going from Folkestone harbour is bound to have? Will he please consider the possibility of giving his support to the introduction of light industries in the area?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI would be prepared to do that but for the fact that there are over 300 vacancies unfilled. In other words, we have more vacancies than unemployed persons, but we are in process of fitting people into the jobs that are available.