§ 19. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the increasing anxiety in West Fife about future employment prospects consequent on the closure and impending closure of certain textile factories; and what steps he intends to take to allay such anxiety.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI am aware that one textile factory has closed and that another is expected to close. The majority of the people who have left these two factories have found other work. My local officers will continue to do everything possible to submit those still unemployed to other vacancies.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in addition to the textile 1137 industry running down, there is apprehension concerning a rubber company in the Dunfermline area, and that whilst it may be true that the younger people are finding little difficulty in obtaining alternative employment, it is becoming exceedingly difficult—and has, indeed, always been exceedingly difficult—for middle-aged and married women to get alternative work once these textile firms are closed down?
§ Mr. MacleodI know about the textile position, but I did not know about the rubber company. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me look into that. It is quite true, as the hon. Member says, that although there is a very small male unemployment figure in the area, the real difficulty is in the female unemployment. Knowing that, we will do what we can to help.