§ 38. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that a large number of workers in Aberdeen shipyards have been paid off this November and December; how many of them are now unemployed; and what are his plans to find them employment before Christmas.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. Alan Green)I understand that 52 workers have been discharged from shipyards in Aberdeen since the beginning of November. Of the 42 who registered at the Employment Exchange, 36 are still unemployed. My local officers will do all they can to find suitable employment for these men.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the Minister realise that unemployment in Aberdeen and other British shipyards is increasing and that this is largely due to the conflict between the disastrous policies of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Scotland? Will he consult them with a view to finding a way to restore order out of this chaos?
§ Mr. GreenThe hon. and learned Member's supplementary question appears to be directed to two other of my right hon. Friends. I can tell him in direct answer that Aberdeen remains a development district, as I think he knows, and that unemployment in Aberdeen is virtually unchanged from last year.