§ 18. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Minister of Labour what is the total number unemployed in the Wednesbury constituency on the latest available date, and the number unemployed for six months or longer.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThere were 1,314 on 13th April, including 323 temporarily stopped. On 9th March, 182 persons had been unemployed for over six months.
§ Mr. StonehouseMay I ask the Minister why in a Written Answer last week he stated that he did not regard the unemployment situation in Wednesbury as serious? As unemployment there is now five times as great as it was in 1951 and is of very grave concern to my constituents, what does he intend to do about it?
§ Mr. MacleodI think that in 1951 the figure was one-fifth of 1 per cent., so the two statements are not necessarily contradictory. But I will say that the trend in this area has moved contrary to the way one would expect, and contrary to the way the other exchanges seem to be moving. I would like to look especially into this matter and write to the hon. Member about it.