HC Deb 08 April 1959 vol 603 cc188-9
31. Lady Gammans

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the position of nearly full employment has been maintained in the Greater London area during the past year.

Mr. Iain Macleod

During the year the number unemployed has not exceeded 1½ per cent. of employees and the average rate was 1.3 per cent.

Mr. D. Jones

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that reaching nearly full employment in the London area is likely to give any measure of satisfaction in The Hartlepools, where there is 5 per cent. unemployment, in Sunderland, where there is 6 per cent., or in Anglesey, where the figure is 10 per cent.? What does he propose to do about these places?

Mr. Macleod

That obviously hardly arises out of this Question. Of course, it is true that the Greater London area is the most prosperous of all the areas in the country, and it is to these other areas that the special attention of the Government must be directed.

Mr. Nabarro

Greater London is no more prosperous than Kidderminster.

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