§ 24. Miss Herbisonasked the Minister of Labour how many men, women and youths were registered as unemployed at the Shotts Employment Exchange on 31st March, 1956, and on the latest available date.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe unemployment count is taken only on a Monday about the middle of each month. At 12th March, there were 83 men, 101 women, seven boys and two girls registered as unemployed at Shotts Employment Exchange and Youth Employment Office. The corresponding figures for 11th June, the latest available date, were 85, 220, five, and 39, respectively.
§ Miss HerbisonSince the number of women unemployed has increased considerably, and the Minister in answer to a previous Question said that there was little likelihood of their obtaining employment in this one area, may I ask what steps he is taking, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade, to find work for these girls?
§ Mr. MacleodAs the hon. Lady says, this is a problem that largely concerns the employment—or the unemployment, unfortunately, at the present time—of women and girls, and it is largely due to the closing of the factory, about which the hon. Lady has asked many Questions and, perhaps, will raise others in today's debate. She knows that the President of the Board of Trade has been trying to find a tenant for this factory. Those efforts, so far as I know, have not been successful. I know that they are going on.