HC Deb 19 April 1956 vol 551 c1152
9. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Labour how many building workers are unemployed in the London area, compared with a year ago.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Three thousand, five hundred and sixty-nine at 12th March, compared with 3,542 at 14th March, 1955.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this trend towards increased unemployment—

Sir T. Moore

Very weak.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

—is a matter of some concern to people in the building trades, because in many cases the figures do not indicate short-time work and under-unemployment? Will he give an assurance that if the situation shows any signs of worsening the Government will take the necessary action to remedy the situation?

Mr. Macleod

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is a very skilful debater, but he is hard put to it to calculate such a trend out of an increase of 27 people.

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