13. Dr. Stressasked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies for men and women have been recently notified to the employment exchanges in Stoke-on-Trent; and how the figures compare with those of twelve months ago.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe numbers of vacancies notified to employment exchanges in Stoke-on-Trent and remaining unfilled on 10th April, 1957, were 581 for males and 974 for females. Corresponding figures for 4th April, 1956, were 1,679 and 1,814, respectively.
§ Dr. StrossDoes not that Answer make it apparent that there has been some worsening in the general labour situation in this city in this last year, and, apart from the obvious treatment, namely, the complete abolition of Purchase Tax, has the right hon. Gentleman any advice to give?
§ Mr. MacleodOf course, there is a difference here, as in most parts of the country, between last year's very high level and the slackening which has taken place this year, but there has been in the last month or so in Stoke-on-Trent and other places a considerable upswing —and a very welcome one—in the number of vacancies. Obviously, I cannot comment on the Purchase Tax question, but some relief must surely have been given in the Budget in relation to Purchase Tax on household goods.
§ 14. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Labour to state the figures for part-time and full-time unemployment in Stoke-on- Trent at the last convenient date as compared with the same date in 1956.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodOn 15th April, there were 2,172 registered as wholly unemployed and 580 as temporarily stopped. The corresponding figures for 16th April, 1956, were 1,186 and 1,074.
§ Dr. StrossWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that these figures do not take into account the shrinking that has occurred in the labour force in the pottery industry as a whole, where some 10,000 workers—men and women—have been lost; and is he further aware that we fear that they may be entirely lost unless something is done as quickly as possible to assist them? I accept that it is not for his Department to do this.