HC Deb 25 February 1959 vol 600 cc1097-8
19. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were registered as unemployed at the Reading Employment Exchange at the most recent date for which figures are available, and on he nearest comparable date in 1958.

Mr. Iain Macleod

At 9th February, 1959, there were 1,243 persons registered as unemployed at the Reading Employment Exchange and Youth Employment Office, compared with 941 at 17th February, 1958.

Mr. Mikardo

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is an area of diverse employment which, on the whole, has not suffered, even in a bad time, relatively to other parts of the country? Does he not see this increase of roughly one-third as a danger signal for the areas which have been more fortunately placed, and will he say what he intends to do about it?

Mr. Macleod

I think that is right. Certainly we must watch places, even like Reading, where now the percentage is 1.8 which is substantial, but well below the national figure. It has climbed, and we must watch it. I rather hope that there are special factors in these figures, such as, perhaps, the closing of the Woodcote R.A.F. maintenance unit at the end of January.

20. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Minister of Labour how many registered disabled persons were registered as unemployed at the Reading Employment Exchange at the most recent date for which figures are available, and on the nearest comparable date in 1958.

Mr. Wood

At 16th February, 1959, the number was 124, compared with 128 at 17th February, 1958.

Mr. Mikardo

Is the hon. Member aware that, by contrast with general employment, Reading is a very bad area for the employment of disabled persons? Is he aware that there is no Remploy factory there, or anywhere near? Has he anything in mind for dealing with this substantial number, although, happily, it is not increasing?

Mr. Wood

There are only eleven Section 2 disabled likely to obtain employment only under sheltered conditions. My right hon. Friend has just made it clear that, on the whole, the position of Reading is good and I hope that it will be able to absorb into employment the 124 people I have just mentioned.

21. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls who left school in December were registered at the Reading Employment Exchange as unemployed at the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Wood

On 9th February, four boys.