§ 17. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed in Sunderland at the latest available date; and the corresponding figure for the previous year.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodFour thousand seven hundred and ninety-three at 9th February, 1959, compared with 2,845 at 17th February, 1958.
§ Mr. WilleyWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that we have a serious measure of unemployment in Sunderland, which is aggravated, even in the short term, by the prospects at some of the shipyards? Will the right hon. Gentleman join with me in trying to disturb the complacency of the President of the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. MacleodI assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no complacency. I entirely agree with him that a serious problem indeed has emerged in the North-East, which was doing so well some little time ago, and Sunderland. The figures I have given illustrate that. We do consider whether areas— and the decision so 1097 far has been to exclude Sunderland— should be included in the D.A.T.A.C. areas. I keep closely in touch with my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. JayCan the Minister say what percentage of the insured population of Sunderland is unemployed?
§ Mr. MacleodIt is 5.7 per cent. in February, and it was 6.1 per cent. in January.