§ 38. Mr. Moodyasked the Minister of Labour the latest available figures of the number of furniture trade operatives registered as wholly unemployed at the Gateshead employment exchange; the number who are on short-time working; and the comparative figures of a year previous.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Mr. Robert Carr)The number registered as wholly unemployed on 16th April was 13; the corresponding figure on 18th April, 1955, was six. The number at present on short-time is 45, which is about the same as a year ago.
§ Mr. MoodyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that while those figures may appear small, in a small community they represent a big percentage of unemployment and that unemployment is directly due to Government policy? The Government have a responsibility for these people; what are they going to do about it?
§ Mr. CarrThere are in all about 460 workers in the furniture industry in this town. I cannot believe that 13 unemployed is something about which we need be unduly worried.
§ Mr. WilleyThe Parliamentary Secretary referred to the position last year. Is he aware that there was very serious short-time working in the furniture trade in the North-East at this time last year and that now it is worse? That is a matter of serious concern to the workers in the, new estate factories.
§ Mr. CarrThere are 45 on short time—[Interruption.] The Question on the Order Paper relates to Gateshead—losing one day a week.
§ Mr. MoodyOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.