HC Deb 17 February 1959 vol 600 cc184-5
31. Mr. Philips Price

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent increase in unemployment mainly caused by the closing of the Eastern United colliery in the Forest of Dean, he will consider applying the provisions of the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act to that area.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

The level of unemployment in the Forest of Dean does not justify the inclusion of the area in the places to which the provisions of the Act apply.

Mr. Philips Price

If the unemployment figures rose to 4 per cent.—and they cannot be far away from that now— would further facilities be available than exist now?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

We would have to consider it. The present figure is 3.2 per cent.

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