HC Deb 03 December 1958 vol 596 cc1164-5
8. Mr. Marquand

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of workers registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges included within the Parliamentary constituencies of Darlington, Sedgefield, The Hartlepools, Cleveland, Stockton-on-Tees, Middlesbrough, West, and Middlesbrough, East, at a convenient date early in October, and at the latest date for which the information is available.

Mr. Wood

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Marquand

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I am rather surprised? I asked for only two figures, the total number unemployed in October and the total number unemployed today. Perhaps he can give me those figures now orally.

Mr. Wood

I apologise. I thought the right hon. Gentleman was asking for the number of unemployed in all the Parliamentary constituencies referred to in his Question and I have tried to give him that information. The Answer shows that in most of the areas named by the right hon. Gentleman, there has been a slight increase of unemployment. The increase has been greatest in Middlesbrough sod in Saltburn. In Middlesbrough, it was due mainly to a substantial growth of the number temporarily stopped in the iron and steel smelting and rolling industry.

Mr. Marquand

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment in this area is now twice as heavy as it was a year ago? As he has just said, the unemployment is increasing and the position shows no sign of improvement. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that large numbers of men who are working short time are not drawing unemployment benefit? In these circumstances, what prospect can he hold out for the future of Tees-side?

Mr. Wood

The right hon. Gentleman knows much better than I that it repends very largely on the prospects for iron and steel and allied industries. As he also knows, however, the whole area is in the North-Eastern Development Area. Therefore, I hope it will be possible to bring new industry to this area, as to other areas.

Mr. Chetwynd

In view of this considerable increase in the numbers of unemployed, is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that his Department has adequate

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ON THE REGISTERS OF THE UNDERMENTIONED EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AT 13TH OCTOBER AND 17TH NOVEMBER, 1958
Employment Exchange (including Youth Employment Office where appropriate) 13th October, 1958 17th November, 1958
Males Females Total Males Females Total
Hartlepool … 194 87 281 155 98 253
West Hartlepool … 881 312 1,193 938 353 1,291
Sedgefield … 12 3 15 20 4 24
Darlington … 638 273 911 562 315 877
Stockton and Thornaby … 890 393 1,283 825 471 1,296
Haverton Hill … 61 110 171 110 140 250
Middlesbrough … 1,803 750 2,553 2,123 1,013 3,136
Redcar … 135 138 273 183 111 294
South Bank … 386 97 483 391 103 494
Saltburn … 83 66 149 499 58 557
Guisborough … 82 23 105 124 26 150
Loftus … 141 53 194 147 60 207