§ 37. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Labour what was the number of unemployed persons in Sunderland on the latest available date.
§ Mr. Heath6,075 at 11th January, 1960. I will write to the hon. Member when the February figure is available at the end of the month.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this shows an unemployment percentage of more than 7 per cent. and that it looks like being persistent? Is he also aware that the whole of southeast Durham urgently needs new industries? Will he consult his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to see that urgent steps are taken to provide new industrial development in the area?
§ Mr. HeathI have vividly appreciated this problem since my visit to the North-East. As the hon. Gentleman knows, this area is one of the development districts.