§ 42 and 43. Mr. Bartleyasked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of bricklayers who were unemployed in the Northern Region during the month ended 30th November;
(2) the number of bricklayers signing the register at the local offices of his Department at Chester-le-Street, Birtley and Washington.
§ Mr. WatkinsonStatistics of unemployment are available for one date only in each month, and the latest figures relate to 14th November. At that date the number of bricklayers registered as unemployed at employment exchanges in the Northern Region was 29, including one man registered at the Chester-le-Street Employment Exchange. There was none on the registers of the Birtley and Washington Station Employment Exchanges. The figures relate to men whose last employment was in the building and contracting industries.
§ Mr. BartleyWhile appreciating that the figures are not very high, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to what extent the unemployment of bricklayers is due to the shortage of bricks in the area?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI think not very greatly, but I will have another look at the matter.