§ 11. Mr. Pentlandasked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons unemployed in the Chester-le-Street constituency area, listing disabled and young persons separately.
§ Mr. HeathAt 11th April, 650 persons were registered as unemployed, including 106 disabled persons and 79 young persons.
§ Mr. PentlandIn view of the fact that coal mining is the predominant industry of the area, what plan does the Minister have for assisting these people to find jobs in other industries in the Chester-le-Street area?
§ Mr. HeathIn the hon. Member's constituency, Chester-le-Street has a rate of unemployment of 2.2 per cent. which is slightly above the national average. On the other hand, in Washington Station it is 1.6 per cent., which is below the national average. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has said that projects to be located in Chester-le-Street could be considered for assistance under the Local Employment Act if they provided work within travel-to-work areas of higher unemployment.