§ 6. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Labour the latest available figures of short-time working and total unemployment in Stoke-on-Trent; and if he will give similar figures for the pottery industry only.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe total number of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Stoke-on-Trent at 13th February was 2,698, of whom 1,414 were registered as temporarily stopped. The corresponding figures for the pottery industry were 1,796 and 1,363.
§ Dr. StrossDoes the Minister realise that this is a very rapid deterioration and that it is due to a combination of factors which I need not now mention? Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any evidence that those who are absorbed in other industries after losing their work in the pottery industry are working in the type of occupation which is useful for our export drive or whether it is mostly for home consumption?
§ Mr. MacleodI do not think that any statistics are held which would enable me to answer that supplementary question.