HC Deb 18 March 1948 vol 448 cc2280-1
52. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of unemployed males and females signing at the Employment Exchanges in Durham City, Crook and Spennymoor for December, 1947, January and February, 1948; and the figures for similar months ending February, 1947.

Mr. Isaacs

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

Mr. Murray

Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that, while he has not given us any figures, there are two factories in the Crook area where progress is much too slow, and will he do something to have the factories completed at an early date, and thus use up the unemployment which we know exists in this particular area?

Mr. Isaacs

Yes, we will use whatever influence and opportunities are open to us to get the jobs completed.

— Durham. Crook. Spennymoor.
Males. Females. Males. Females. Males. Females.
December, 1947 … … 530 60 258 52 328 37
January, 1948 … … 549 73 342 59 375 28
February, 1948 … … 511 80 390 39 361 28
December, 1946 … … 763 192 483 143 665 100
January, 1947 … … 827 174 458 115 702 144
February, 1947 … … 940 183 842 113 696 128

The figures for December, 1947, and earlier dates exclude men who had been classified by interviewing panels as unsuitable for ordinary employment. This system has now ceased to operate and later figures include them. In December, 1947, they numbered 26 at Durham, 64 at Crook and 44 at Spennymoor.