HC Deb 29 January 1959 vol 598 cc1234-5
16. Mr. Hale

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reason the County Borough of Oldham and the Urban District of Chadderton were excluded from the recently published list of areas which qualify for special assistance in development and planning of employment.

Sir D. Eccles

The Oldham area, including Chadderton, is within travelling distance of the Manchester area, where the level of unemployment is low.

Mr. Hale

That may be, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the level of unemployment in Oldham and Chadderton is extremely high and at the moment in Oldham, Middleton and Royton it is just about the highest in the whole of Lancashire, and if there is still substantial unemployment in Manchester there is no alternative employment there? The employment need is growing. This is an extremely important matter. I do not want to be offensive about it at all. Is there a chance to persuade the right hon. Gentleman to reconsider the matter? Will he talk it over with me? I can obtain for him particulars of available sites and empty mills not being used for any effective or valuable purpose. Will he, therefore, have a further chat to reconsider this extremely important matter?

Sir D. Eccles

Yes, I will. To get these men employment we may have to look a little outside their boundaries. I will gladly talk to the hon. Gentleman.