§ 42. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Labour what factors caused the increase this month of 373 in the number of unemployed in Sunderland; and what are the prospects of reducing unemployment in Sunderland in the immediate future.
§ Mr. GreenApart from seasonal factors, the increase was caused by reduced activity in shipbuilding and ship-repairing. There are about 5,000 jobs in prospect in the area but I am not able to make any short-term forecast.
§ Mr. WilleyIn view of the high level of unemployment in the area, in spite of the action taken by the Government, does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that we need new large-scale industrial enterprises? Will he co-operate with his right hon. Friend to see that Sunderland gets high priority when an opportunity occurs of new industry being persuaded to go into that development district?
§ Mr. GreenDevelopment districts are a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and they are selected in accordance with priorities over the whole country. The hon. Member may like to know that although unemployment rose for the group with which he is concerned from October to November, the November, 1961, figure was 403 lower than that of November, 1960, and is the lowest November figure since 1957.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsIs my hon. Friend aware that most people on both sides of the House would like to welcome the appointment of the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) to his new appointment and to wish him success? Can my hon. Friend say how soon the 5,000 jobs reported to be in the pipeline, whatever that may mean, are liable to come to fruition—whatever that may mean?
§ Mr. GreenAs my hon. Friend realises, it is very largely a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade rather than for me. I understand that all of them should come to fruition, which is the term which my hon. Friend used, within four years. I thought that no hon. Member on either side of the House who likes forward planning would burke at the words "in the pipeline".
§ Mr. WilleyDoes the Parliamentary Secretary agree that these fluctuations are fluctuations on a high level of unemployment and that we need a big industrial enterprise if we are to get some security in Sunderland? I ask him 31 again, will he co-operate with his right hon. Friend to see that Sunderland gets a fair opportunity to secure such industrial enterprise?
§ Mr. GreenThe hon. Member appreciates that we seek to co-operate with the Board of Trade over all these matters. If he has a specific question for the President of the Board of Trade, no doubt he will put it down.