§ 31. Mr. P. Wellsasked the Minister of Labour the total number of registered unemployed on the Isle of Sheppey at the latest convenient date; what percentage of the insured workers this represents; and the corresponding figures a year ago.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodFour hundred and forty-six at 9th February, 1959, representing 5.2 per cent. of the estimated number of insured employees, compared with 267 at 17th February, 1958, representing 3.1 per cent.
§ Mr. WellsIn view of those alarming figures and the fact that discharges from Sheerness Dockyard will commence in a few weeks' time, will the right hon. Gentleman remind his colleagues in the Cabinet of their responsibility to provide alternative employment as in the case of Malta?
§ Mr. MacleodIt is true that the Sheppey employment problem centres on the dockyard, and we are doing everything we can to find a tenant. As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty recently told the hon. Member, we have not yet succeeded, but we will do everything we can and shall keep trying.