HC Deb 19 July 1956 vol 556 cc1381-2
43. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 5,600 men dismissed by the British Motor Corporation in the Birmingham area have now been found alternative employment by his Department; and how many now remain registered as unemployed.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The total number who have registered for employment is 2,880. Of these confirmation of placing has been received to date in respect of 407. One thousand, six hundred and sixty-two are at present on the register as unemployed. A large number of these have been submitted for employment, but confirmation of placing has not yet been received: the balance of about 800 have not maintained their registration.

Mr. Chapman

Are not these figures rather disquieting, even making all allowances for the shortness of time involved? Secondly, is it not a fact that many of the men are having to accept jobs in much lower-paid employment, with considerable hardship when they are involved up to the neck, so to speak, in house purchase, hire purchase and all the commitments which men often make when they begin to live up to a higher standard of living? Does not this show how very unfortunate the whole situation is?

Mr. Macleod

The key figure is the number of those on the register as unemployed. Although the position changes from day to day, the figure at the moment is 1,662, of which a large proportion—over half, I think—have been submitted for employment. Speed is not the only or, indeed, the main factor, for in putting people forward for other occupations it may well be necessary for them to have more than one interview. I will give the House as clear a picture of the position as possible as soon as I can.

Mr. Lee

Has there been any break-down into types of the work that these men require? Are the Government making any constructive effort to get employers who require that type of worker to go into areas where the men are unemployed?

Mr. Macleod

As I said in answer to Questions a week or so ago, we have been collecting vacancies from wide areas and encouraging large employers of labour—for example, the Transport Commission and other authorities—to make their requirements known in the areas where men are unemployed, and see how they can help.