§ 45. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Minister of Labour if he will give an analysis of the unemployment figures in Dundee at the most convenient recent date in May according to the lengths of time for which insured workers have been unemployed.
§ The Minister of Labour and National Service (Mr. Iain Macleod)As the reply includes a Table of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the information:
| NUMBERS OF WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ON THE REGISTERS OF THE DUNDEE EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AT 12TH MAY, 1958 | |||
| Duration of Unemployment | Males | Females | Total |
| Up to 2 weeks | 378 | 188 | 566 |
| More than 2 weeks and up to 8 weeks | 698 | 429 | 1,127 |
| More than 8 weeks | 1,720 | 939 | 2,659 |
| Total | 2,796 | 1,556 | 4,352 |
§ NOTE: The Table above excludes persons registered as temporarily stopped. The number in that category in Dundee at 12th May was 1,030.
§ 46. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Minister of Labour the percentage of unemployment in Dundee at the most recent convenient date in May; and the ratio of unemployed to unfilled vacancies.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodFor the purpose of computing a percentage rate of unemployment the Dundee and Broughty Ferry areas have to be combined; the figure for the combined area at 12th May was 6.1 per cent. At that date there were about seven unfilled notified vacancies for every 100 persons registered as wholly unemployed.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the Minister aware that these figures are particularly disturbing in a city where the workers have proved themselves specially adaptable to 208 new skills whenever there has been an adequate Government effort to bring in new industries? What are the Government doing to bring jobs to the Dundee workers far more quickly than at present?
§ Mr. MacleodI agree that the figures are disturbing; there is a high and increasing rate of unemployment. The hon. Member will appreciate that this is largely a matter for my right hon. Friends, but I can say that we have done a great deal to help Dundee, and it is clear that we must do a great deal more—and we certainly will.
§ Mr. StracheyWill not the Minister announce shortly, on behalf of the Government, that in view of these figures they will not contemplate any further reduction in the so called mark-up of jute goods imports? That is the key to the situation.
§ Mr. MacleodThat is not my Departmental responsibility, but I will certainly discuss it with the Minister responsible.
§ Sir J. DuncanCan my right hon. Friend say how soon the five new factories which the Government have induced industry to go to in Dundee will be employing workers?
§ Mr. MacleodI am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice.
§ 47. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered at employment exchanges in Dundee as being jute workers and building trade workers, respectively; and what percentages of them were unemployed at the most recent convenient date in May.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodEstimates of the total numbers of employees in local areas are available for one date only in each year, and the latest figures relate to end-May, 1957. The estimated numbers of employed and unemployed in the jute and building industries in the area of the Dundee and Broughty Ferry Employment Exchanges at that date were 15,630 and 4,880, respectively. The numbers registered as unemployed at 12th May, 1958, represented 13 per cent. and 5.8 per cent. respectively of those two totals.
§ Mr. ThomsonIs the Minister aware that this very high percentage of unemployment in the jute industry is 209 mainly the result of the Government's action? Does he realise that there is desperate anxiety in Dundee for a definite assurance from the Government as to their future intentions in respect of the jute industry, so that this dreadful uncertainty can be removed?