§ 3. Mr. Bartleyasked the Minister of Labour the number of disabled unemployed persons signing the register at Chester-le-Street, Birtley and Washington employment exchanges at the most recent convenient date, showing the men and women separately; and what steps he is taking to provide employment for these persons and other unemployed persons in those areas.
§ Sir W. MoncktonAt 18th May, 1953, 50 men and one woman registered as disabled persons were registered as unemployed at Chester-le-Street, 22 men and four women at Birtley and 18 men and three women at Washington station. The districts concerned are part of the North-East Coast Development area and efforts continue to be made to encourage the introduction of fresh industry there.
In addition my local officers will continue to do their best to find suitable employment for these persons.
§ Mr. BartleyIs the Minister satisfied that there are early prospects of these disabled unemployed persons being provided with employment in the areas mentioned in my Question?
§ Sir W. MoncktonIt is difficult to state the prospects of early employment for all of them. The position is a little better than it was a year ago, but there is much still to be done, and I am constantly in touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade upon whom primarily rests the responsibility for the Development Areas.
§ Mr. BartleyWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that, despite what he says about the position being a little better, the number of females unemployed has increased recently?
§ Sir W. MoncktonNot the disabled female unemployed.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWould the right hon. and learned Gentleman make further examination into the problem, which continues to be a very serious one—that a large number of disabled men are 1653 capable of a good deal of work but that no employment is available for them in these areas?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI have had that situation in mind, and I shall bear it in mind again, in view of what the right hon. Gentleman has asked.