§ 10. Mr. Manuelasked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered at the employment exchanges in the constituency of Central Ayrshire at the last convenient date, and the comparable figure for the same time last year.
§ Mr. HeathOne thousand four hundred and eighty three at 12th October, 1959, compared with 1,714 at 13th October, 1958.
§ Mr. ManuelIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that those figures show that there were far too many unemployed in this area on both occasions? Will he be good enough to draw the attention of the President of the Board of Trade to the fact that there are a number of empty factories within the constituency and also two industrial estates, one at Irvine and one at Kilwinning, so that excellent facilities can be offered to industrialists who may want to come into an area where the labour is exceptionally good?
§ Mr. HeathYes. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman is pleased that there should have been a reduction of over 300 in the last year. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is aware of the situation and will do everything he can to encourage employers to go into the area.