HC Deb 27 January 1959 vol 598 cc879-81
45 Mr. Grey

asked the Prime Minister (1) in view of the increasing difficulties being experienced by school leavers in finding employment, what official consultations he had, while on his tour to the North-East, concerning this problem; and if he will make a statement;

(2) to what extent, during his recent tour of the North-East, he made visits to the employment exchanges in the area;

(3)what talks he had with trade union leaders concerning unemployment in the North-East during his recent tour of the area; and if he will make a statement.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

The tour was not arranged for the purpose of official consultations, nor did it include any visits to employment exchanges. I did, however, have informal talks with many people, including, of course, trade unionists and members of works councils. I am well aware of the employment difficulties in certain parts of the area, both from the reports of my colleagues and from what I saw and heard for myself. I believe, however, that the measures which the Government are taking will increasingly show their effects both in the North-East and elsewhere throughout the country.

Mr. Grey

Is the Prime Minister aware that the vast majority of the people in the North-East took a very dim view of the fact that he showed no practical concern over the unemployment in the area? [HON. MEMBERS:"Oh."] It is quite true. It might have served a much more useful purpose if at least the right hon. Gentleman had made some contact with the employment exchanges and also had some talks with the people who were unemployed. It might have saddened his heart a little and made his visit less flippant than it appeared to be. [HON. MEMBERS:"Order."] May I also ask the right hon. Gentleman what method he has set in motion to reverse the trend of unemployment, and if he thinks that the people in the North-East might have the right impression—

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mr. Grey

I have not quite finished—

Mr. Speaker

I ask hon. Members to remember that this is Question Time. There will be plenty of time for speeches later.

Mr. Grey

May I put this further point to the Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker? If he had done this, at least it would have created the impression in the minds of the people that he had gone there as Prime Minister and not as leader of the Tory Party.

The Prime Minister

So far as I could follow them, I think the greater part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary questions were a criticism of myself, which the House, and ultimately the country, must judge. With regard to any more precise questions, I am glad to feel that in the last few weeks proposals have been approved for the extension of twenty Government factories in the North-East Development Area. These will be completed by October of this year and should provide work for well over 2,000 people.

Mr. H. Wilson

In view of the reference to school leavers in Question No. 45, is the Prime Minister aware that not only in the North-East but elsewhere thousands of school leavers of last July had not found jobs by November and December, and that very many who left school before Christmas are having the greatest difficulty in finding jobs and may have to wait weeks? Is this the Prime Minister's idea of what he calls the "Opportunity State"?

The Prime Minister

Of course, I recognise that there has been this difficulty, but I am hopeful, and indeed confident, that the position will improve.

Mr. Shinwell

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to specify the Government measures which are likely to help the shipbuilding industry and to correct the redundancy in the coal mining industry? Is he aware that the total expenditure which the Government propose to incur in the building of hospitals, additional schools and the reconstruction of roads in the North-East is a mere bagatelle in comparison with the employment needs of the area, and would he look into this matter and do rather more than the Government propose?

The Prime Minister

Of course, the stimulation of investment generally, the reduction of the Bank Rate, the easing of the credit squeeze, the increase in initial allowances and the very substantial increase in public investment—all these will have their effect. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman, who I know is very courteous to his fellow Members, would allow me to answer his point in the next Question but one, which deals specifically with shipbuilding, because another hon. Member has it on the Order Paper.