HC Deb 22 January 1957 vol 563 cc21-3
31. Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Labour what effect the shortage of petrol and oil has had on employment generally, giving details of the loss of employment as well as short-time working; and the future prospects.

38. Mr. Lee

asked the Minister of Labour to make a statement outlining the position of unemployment and part-time working and his estimate for the first quarter of the year.

Mr. Iain Macleod

On 10th December, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 297,000 workers registered as unemployed in Great Britain, of whom 29,000 were temporarily stopped. In the week ended 19th January 130,000 workers were reported to be working short time, of whom about 70,000 were, it is estimated, affected in the main by the restrictions on oil and petrol supplies. Redundancies affecting about 14,000 workers have also been attributed to these restrictions.

A seasonal increase in the numbers unemployed is usual in the early part of the year and some additional unemployment is likely to arise this year from the shortage of oil and petrol, but I cannot estimate how many workers or which industries will be affected.

Mr. Dodds

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the situation is now much worse than it was when he made his statement before Christmas? Is he not aware that the statement that he then made is not satisfactory to many people who are worried about employment? Has he not anything more to add about what the Government are going to do about the situation? Or are they complacent?

Mr. Macleod

No. I have invited the hon. Gentleman to consider what I said before Christmas. If he does he will find no trace of complacency in any single one of those statements. Of course I know that the position in the motor car industry gives rise to very considerable concern. This is a matter which the Chancellor, the President of the Board of Trade and I in particular are watching for the future. I announced some relaxations immediately before Christmas.

Mr. Lee

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is now great anxiety in the country because there is a feeling that the Government are losing control of the position? Is he aware that, following the statement of the new Minister of Power yesterday, there is great apprehension whether the Government can maintain some of our vital industries in full production? I refer to the steel industry and to industries of that type. Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any attempt is being made to get proper priorities of allocation which would enable industries such as the steel industry to maintain their production and thus help the manufacturing industries to maintain theirs?

Mr. Macleod

Of course there is anxiety, but I think it is important for the country that we keep these difficulties in perspective. The figures which I have announced of unemployment are lower than they have been in any year except the last two, and lower for this time of the year than in any year of the Administration of right hon. Gentlemen opposite, though I say that without making any political point. As to the future, the main anxiety, as the hon. Member knows perfectly well, is the question of fuel oil for industry. If stocks can be maintained at their present level, and that depends on many factors not under the control of this Government, or by no means wholly under the control of this Government, I should not think that the position in relation to fuel oil would worsen appreciably.

37. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Minister of Labour what reply he has sent to the letter from the Scottish Furniture Manufacturers' Association concerning the threat of unemployment in the industry consequent on petrol rationing.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I have told the Scottish Furniture Manufacturers' Association that I have been in touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation who is fully aware of the special problems of furniture transport and will ensure that, as far as circumstances allow, his regional transport commissioners will do all they can to help.

Mr. Hamilton

Can the Minister give any figures indicating what increase in unemployment there has been in this industry consequent upon petrol rationing? Can he give his assurance that should those figures show a tendency to increase his right hon. Friend will not be wayward in granting the necessary increase in the supply of petrol?

Mr. Macleod

The latest available figures are for 24th November, and that is so long ago that they are out of date in the context of the hon. Member's Question. I will send him the latest up-to-date figures as soon as they are available.