HC Deb 02 July 1958 vol 590 cc1331-2
53 and 54. Mr. Lawson

asked the Minister of Labour (1) what is the number of registered unemployed for the Burgh of Motherwell and Wishaw at the latest convenient date; and at the comparable date in 1957; and

(2) how many of the registered unemployed in the Burgh of Motherwell and Wishaw are from the steel-making industry.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Two thousand, four hundred and thirty-nine at 16th June, 1958, compared with 1,108 at 17th June, 1957. The former number includes 552 in the steel making industry.

Mr. Lawson

Does the Minister appreciate that this must represent more than 7 per cent. unemployment among people living in the Burgh of Motherwell and Wishaw, at the heart of industrial Scotland, and is he aware that a depression in Motherwell indicates very gloomy prospects indeed for Scotland as a whole, since all Scotland depends upon Motherwell and what it produces? Will he take special steps?

Mr. Macleod

I do not think that it is possible to calculate a separate figure for Motherwell and Wishaw because they are part of a larger travel-to-work area, but I do not disagree that the figure in North Lanarkshire is becoming very serious and is causing considerable concern.