§ 5. Miss Burtonasked the Minister of Labour what steps his Department has taken to make available systems for transfer of labour to other districts during the present period of redundancy and unemployment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodUnder the normal working of the employment exchange service there is a regular system for the circulation of vacancies that cannot be filled locally and in selected cases where unemployed workers are prepared to consider transfer to another district particulars of their experience, etc., are sent for consideration by employers in other districts. At the latest available date the number of vacancies outside daily travelling distance notified to the Coventry Exchange was 2,486.
§ Miss BurtonDoes the Minister not realise that, whatever his intentions might be, these Answers do not seem to be couched in urgent phrasing, as is necessary in reference to Coventry? Does he realise that as recently as 15th January the Chairman of the Midland Regional Board of Industry said that no remedial 827 measures for unemployment or redundancy had been discussed by the board? How much unemployment are we to have before such measures may be discussed?
§ Mr. MacleodI understand the natural anxiety of the hon. Lady about the place which she has the honour to represent in this House. I have to consider not only Coventry but all other cities and boroughs in the country. The unemployment rate in Coventry, although giving rise to anxiety—and I am watching it with great care—and although the figures have climbed in the last month, is under 2 per cent. The special facilities have never been made available by previous Governments in respect of unemployment under a figure of about 5 per cent., but I am having a special inquiry made to see whether the rule should be relaxed. I can assure the hon. Lady that I am watching the position literally from day to day.