§ 20. Mr. P. Morrisasked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women unemployed in the County Borough of Swansea on the latest available date, as compared with November, 1956.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe available figures relate to employment exchange areas. At 11th November, 1957, there were 3,297 registered as unemployed at employment exchanges in Swansea, compared with 1,134 at 12th November, 1956.
§ Mr. MorrisIn view of the disturbing figures and the increasing anxiety in South Wales, will the right hon. Gentleman try to prevail upon his Ministerial colleagues, who recently met a deputation from South Wales, to implement their promise to provide alternative industries, especially of a light engineering character, as soon as possible?
§ Mr. MacleodI understand the anxiety. I think that the deputation to which the hon. Member refers was a useful one, and we will follow it up as well as we can.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIs the Minister aware that the figures he quoted are for 11th November, but that news comes to us every day of the closure of another old tinplate works, that these figures for Swansea—indeed, for the whole of West Wales—increase day by day and that there is growing anxiety there? Will the 1138 right hon. Gentleman urge the President of the Board of Trade, in particular, and the Minister of Power to keep these facts in mind, because this is an area which is badly in need of other industries?
§ Mr. MacleodI understand that. I know that my colleagues in the Government are very conscious of it, and I will bring to their notice what has been said in the House today.