§ 23. Mr. G. Robertsasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to check the rise in unemployment in South Caernarvonshire.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 17th December, 1952, about unemployment in the Lleyn area. We shall continue to do what we can to help; but I would in fairness remind the hon. Member that it is not easy to encourage new industries into the area. There is, of course, as he knows, a large seasonal element in the unemployment there.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the unemployment problem in this area is now almost as bad as in pre-war days, and that we depend very largely on small but efficient engineering works, and that if he could help to take steps in those factories, by sub-contracts by Government agencies, an appreciable difference would be made? Would he look into that?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI will certainly bear in mind the points which the hon. Gentleman makes, but he will appreciate that there is a very large seasonal element in the situation in this particular area.
§ Mr. G. ThomasIs the Minister aware that his reply, referring my hon. Friend to his answer of last year, indicates that the Government have no constructive proposals to deal with the problem, and are we to assume that there is nothing at all different from last year in the Minister's approach?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI think that the hon. Gentleman adduces rather more than was implied by my answer.