§ 30. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the present figure of the high and rising level of unemployment in Cornwall.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodAlthough there was a slight reduction in the number of unemployed in Cornwall in February, unemployment in most of the county has 1106 been persistently above the average for some years. Difficulties in the ship repairing industry have caused a particularly large rise in Falmouth and neighbouring towns, and the reduced demands for goods and services have resulted in some general increase over the past year.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the Minister take into account that the last published figures for Cornwall showed a percentage of 7.3 and that the average for Falmouth at that time was about 9 per cent.? Will he realise that there is alarm and despondency in Cornwall now at the long-term unemployment which is arising, and will he try to remedy it?
§ Mr. MacleodYes, Sir; certainly. The February Cornwall percentage is slightly down at 7.1, but it is still a very big problem indeed. Virtually the whole of Cornwall is eligible for D.A.T.A.C. assistance. It is one of the places in which D.A.T.A.C. assistance has been showing some valuable results. Four D.A.T.A.C. proposals have been approved for Cornwall alone. A great deal of the Cornish trade is, of course, seasonal and one would hope that that side of the problem would begin to improve.
§ Mr. HaymanWill the right hon. Gentleman take into account that D.A.T.A.C. has refused a very substantial industry for St. Ives?
§ Mr. JayCan the right hon. Gentleman say to which part of Cornwall the figure of 7.1 per cent. applies, or is it to the whole of Cornwall?
§ Mr. MacleodIt applies to the whole of Cornwall.