§ 59. Mr. F. Willeyasked the Minister of Labour what factors have contributed to the present unemployment of 453 building trade workers in Sunderland; and what action he is taking to bring them into employment.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNormal labour turnover accounted for most of the 453 building trade workers registered as unemployed on 12th May.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the hon. Gentleman not realise that that is not a satisfactory reply to the building trade workers in Sunderland, and that we feel this is an exceptionally high figure; and would he bear this figure in mind when considering building projects required for the defence programme?
§ Mr. WatkinsonCertainly I will bear it in mind.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeCan my hon. Friend give the comparable figure for 1950?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe position is not normal in the earlier months of the year when we get the normal seasonal decline.
§ it is the Government's policy to do everything in their power to reduce these figures to the lowest possible level?
§ Mr. WatkinsonYes, Sir.
§ Following is the reply:
§ The Table below gives the available information. The statistics of unemployment are completed only for a date in the middle of each month.
§ That is now taking place. But, of course, in the latter months of the year, particularly in the building industry, the position deteriorates. Nobody can say what may happen. Actually, in comparison with previous years, it does show some improvement.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the hon. Gentleman not agree that the figure is appreciably higher than the figure 12 months ago?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe hon. Gentleman asked how we accounted for the number at present on the books of the employment exchanges, and although he seems to have considered that the answer I gave him was not correct, as far as we can ascertain the figure of 453 is accounted for entirely by transitional unemployment, of people who are moving from one job to another.
§ Mr. Emrys HughesWhere is the Minister of Labour?