§ 29. Mr. A. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons unemployed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne at the latest available date; the number of adult men included in this total; and a list of classes of employment mainly affected.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe number of unemployed in Newcastle-upon-Tyne at 11th February was 5,248, of whom 3,542 were men aged 18 and over. The industries with the largest numbers unemployed were: Shipbuilding and ship-repairing; building and contracting; non-electrical engineering; distribution; catering, hotels, etc.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that in view of the rather dangerous position with regard to shipbuilding and ship-repairing, he should take up the matter of steel allocations with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply?
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe figures for 11th February which I have given are very nearly the same as those of a year ago, and the figures in shipbuilding are about 20 different. However, I will, of course, bear in mind what the hon. Member has mentioned.
§ Mr. Ernest PopplewellWill the Minister also bear in mind that a large number of the 5,000-odd unemployed are disabled and that there is a crying need for further Remploy factories to be built in the area? Will he do everything possible to encourage the building of these Remploy factories to provide employment for these men?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI fully appreciate the importance of Remploy factories, but this is not the moment when I can encourage the belief that more can be built at once.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWould the Minister agree that, while it is true there has not been an increase in the numbers of unemployed during the last month, nevertheless, in view of the steel position, there is great anxiety in the area about the employment position in the shipbuilding industry?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI will bear that in mind. My comparison, however, was not with a month ago but with a year ago.