HC Deb 30 April 1957 vol 569 cc18-21
30. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Labour what were the unemployment figures in Coventry up to the latest convenient date in April; and what proportion this bears to the figure for March.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The figures were 2,662 males and 899 females at 15th April. The total of 3,561 showed a decrease of 40 per cent. compared with 11th March.

Miss Burton

Is the Minister aware that his figures are not my figures? [Laughter.] Each shows an improvement. We are glad of that improvement and hope that it will be continued. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the unions in Coventry feel that this improvement is due to the normal seasonal increase in demand for motor cars in April, May and June, and can he give any assurance that he does not anticipate that this improvement will cease?

Mr. Macleod

I hope that my figures are the right ones. I should not expect the hon. Lady's figures to be exactly the same. The figures that I have given show a very dramatic decrease for March, but the March figures, as the hon. Lady will remember, were inflated because of the complication of the guaranteed week, which I explained to the hon. Lady a short time ago. The figure for wholly unemployed males, which is probably the best test, showed a drop of 20 per cent. between February and March and a further 25 per cent. between March and April. Those drops are much bigger than seasonal explanations could account for.

31. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the number of vacancies for men and women notified to Coventry employment exchange on 6th March last was 618; and if he will give the number for the latest convenient date in April.

Mr. Iain Macleod

The figure for March was as stated by the hon. Member. The corresponding figure for 10th April was 816.

Miss Burton

Apart from the fact that the number of vacancies notified to the exchange is obviously nowhere near the number likely to settle the problem of those wholly out of work, we have a great deal of short-time working in Coventry. Will the right hon. Gentleman bear that in mind in considering the relationship between those two figures?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, I will, but the trend for vacancies, as for unemployed, is going the right way.

32. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of anxiety in Coventry concerning the duration of male unemployment and that the figure for the quarter ended 11 th March last was more than double that for the preceding quarter in so far as those out of work for more than six months were concerned; and what steps he proposes to take to take to deal with this problem.

Mr. Iain Macleod

On 11th March, 319 men registered at the Coventry Employment Exchange had been unemployed for more than six months, compared with 144 in December. The numbers affected were about 0.25 per cent. of all male employees in Coventry. The information I have already given the hon. Member today indicates that the general employment position has improved since March, but I am continuing to keep a close watch on the situation.

Miss Burton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cold statistics of ¼ per cent. are little comfort if one is included in them? Is he further aware of the very real fear in the City of Coventry that we are to have further unemployment because of defence cuts in the aircraft industry, on top of the motor car industry troubles? Can he give us any assurance about future contracts in the city?

Mr. Macleod

No, I cannot, within the scope of the Answer to this Question, deal with the question of further contracts, but the position has been steadily improving, and in the aircraft industry, to which the hon. Lady refers, I hope that we shall see a steady improvement in the next few months.

Mr. Osborne

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the Coventry workers have, for the last twenty-five years, been protected by a 33 per cent. tariff under the MacKenna duties, which privilege other industrial workers do not receive? Why should Coventry workers get an advantage which other industrial workers do not receive?

Mr. Macleod

I was not suggesting that Coventry workers were being given greater advantages than others. I take the circumstances of all areas, including Coventry, into account.

Mr. Lee

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that when we are discussing long-term unemployment it is essential to find appropriate work for those unemployed? Have any employers who could provide appropriate work for these people been encouraged to move to Coventry?

Mr. Macleod

Where a special situation arises—and Coventry was an example of that in many months last year—we notify vacancies from other parts of the country and equally make it possible for employers from other parts of the country to recruit in Coventry, if they are able to do so.