Stranraer (Hansard, 30 October 1956)

§ 40. Mr. Mackie
asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed at Stranraer on 1st October, 1956.

§ Mr. Iain Macleod
The unemployment count is taken only on a Monday, about the middle of each month. At 15th October there were 201 persons registered as unemployed at Stranraer Employment Exchange.

§ Mr. Mackie
Is my right hon. Friend aware that considerable anxiety exists in this port, which was of very great importance in the last war, because of the 1242 possible withdrawal of the daily steamer service between Stranraer and Larne and the ending of the direct railway communication with Glasgow and Girvan, which would doubtless lead to very considerable unemployment, in addition to that indicated by the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has already given.

§ Mr. Macleod
It is true that the increase in unemployment over the last year is mainly in the harbour, docks and allied services. The other questions go a good deal wider than my province but I am quite ready to draw them to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

§ Mr. Emrys Hughes
Where there is a potential increase in unemployment, as there is in the Stranraer area, does not the right hon. Gentleman think he should call for a report from his officers?

§ Mr. Macleod
Of course, I do call for reports from the officers, and it is on one of these that I have based my Answer to the Question.