§ 23. Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Labour how many persons were unemployed in Sunderland at the latest available date; and how this compares with the figure for the previous month.
§ Mr. GreenThere were 3,848 people unemployed in the Sunderland area on 11th December, compared with 3,923 on 13th November, 1961.
§ Mr. WilleyIn view of this persistent high level of unemployment, can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether he was consulted by the President of the Board of Trade before he made his statement the other day? Will the hon. Gentleman call the President's attention to these figures and point out that we still obviously need Government assistance in Sunderland?
§ Mr. GreenWhile I have sympathy with the hon. Member, he will, I am sure, appreciate that there are now 5,000 jobs in prospect for the area. [HON. MEMBERS: "In the pipeline."] Hon. Members opposite must not denigrate the pipeline. It is an essential part of the planning for which they continue to call.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes not the hon. Gentleman know by experience that the efficiency of the pipeline is only about 20 per cent.?
§ Mr. GreenIf the hon. Member looks at the figures, he will see that his arithmetic is not right. If he cares to re-do his sums and come and see me, he and I can put our heads together or, perhaps, knock them together.