HC Deb 23 November 1960 vol 630 cc1124-5
32. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons in Lanarkshire and North Lanarkshire, respectively, were registered as unemployed at the latest convenient date.

Mr. Hare

At 14th November, 7,637 in the County of Lanarkshire, excluding the City of Glasgow. Of these, 6,936 were in North Lanarkshire.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the Minister aware that these numbers are far too high, that they have been registering at the employment exchanges for far too long and that this is all due to the fact that the Government have done far too little? Will he abandon this negative approach and adopt a positive attitude by preparing effective plans whereby these unemployed persons can be absorbed in the near future?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Member ought to be fair. The situation is not satisfactory, but it is very much better than it was a year ago. There has been an improvement. [HON. MEMBERS: "Not enough."] This shows that things are being done. The hon. Member can take some satisfaction from the fact that whereas the percentage of unemployment in North Lanarkshire a year ago was 6.6 per cent., it is now 4.9 per cent.

Mr. Manuel

It is too high.

Mr. Hare

I hope that the new jobs in the pipeline will help the situation.