HC Deb 15 February 1949 vol 461 cc926-7
10. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to establish a Remploy factory at Cardiff, in view of the number of disabled persons registered at the Cardiff Employment Exchange.

Mr. Isaacs

There is a Remploy factory on the Treforest Trading Estate which provides for severely disabled persons at Cardiff. In addition, a special factory at Cardiff for the tuberculous is planned.

Mr. Thomas

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Remploy factory at Treforest is at least eight miles from the city and that he is catering for the severely disabled; therefore, is he aware that there is considerable difficulty for these people to get to Treforest, and will he consider the establishment of a Remploy factory in the city where 564 disabled persons are registered as unemployed?

Mr. Isaacs

Not all of them will be entitled to this sheltered employment. It is true that the factory is for the severely disabled, but in some cases the disability is not such as prevents them getting about. It might be a disability of the hands or something like that, and not the legs. In addition the Corporation pay the fares for these men who have to travel from Cardiff to Treforest. I say without hesitation that we shall not be happy until we can provide greater facilities near the centre of the city.

Mr. Mainwaring

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that those in charge of this Remploy factory are using the resources placed at their disposal with the utmost energy and to the best advantage in placing seriously disabled persons in employment?

Mr. Isaacs

That is quite another question. I had better answer it by saying "Yes we are completely satisfied."

The following table shows the numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of employment exchanges in Lowestoft, Beccles and Southwold at l0th January, 1949, the latest date for which figures are available, distinguishing the principal industries:
Industry Males Females Total
Lowestoft:
Fishing … 436 15 451
Shipbuilding and Shiprepairing … 34 — 34
Preserving of Fruits and Vegetables … 19 2 21
Other Food Industries … 70 99 169
Miscellaneous Manufacturing Industries … 22 — 22
Building … 105 — 105
Wholesale Distribution of Food and Drink … 97 — 97
National Government Service … 18 2 20
Local Government Service … 25 3 28
Catering, Hotels, etc. … 39 41 80
All other Industries and Services … 269 54 323
Total … 1,134 216 1,350
Beccles:
Agriculture and Horticulture … 12 — 12
Fishing … 49 — 49
Building … 16 — 16
All other Industries and Services … 41 11 52
Total … 118 11 129
Southwold:
Fishing … 17 — 17
All other Industries and Services … 24 8 32
Total … 41 8 49