HC Deb 26 June 1961 vol 643 cc6-8
7. Mr. Grey

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the failure of the Local Employment Act to stop the shift of population from the North-East, what other measures he will adopt to stop this trend.

9. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the Census Report which reveals considerable migration from the North-East during the past 10 years; and what action he proposes to deal with the problems involved.

10. Mr. Ainsley

asked the Minister of Labour what remedial plans he has in mind to stop the migration from the North-East to other parts of the country.

Mr. Hare

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward) on 12th June, through their distribution of industry policy the Government are encouraging firms to develop in parts of the country where unemployment is relatively high and discouraging developments in already congested areas. Changes in the geographical distribution of the country's labour force are, however, bound to occur in an expanding economy.

Mr. Grey

I have read that reply, which means nothing. Is the Minister aware the continual migration from the North-East is having a disastrous effect on the area? Is he aware that during the last ten years half of those who have left have been under the age of 35? Is this not most undesirable, because not only is the North-East losing population but it is left with an unbalanced age population? Will he tell the House what steps he is taking to stop industry going into the already congested areas and to direct such industries to the North-East?

Mr. Hare

As I indicated, a good deal is being done.

Mr. Grey

What?

Mr. Hare

May I try to answer the hon. Gentleman? There are 21,000 jobs in prospect in the North-East, and 10,000 of these are in development districts. If we look back, we see that as a result of Board of Trade assistance and so on there were about 57,000 workers in Board of Trade factories. The Government's policy is, therefore, helping to bring industry to the North-East. But I repeat that if we want economic growth we must accept a degree of labour mobility.

Mr. Boyden

When the right hon. Gentleman says that the Government are doing these things, does he think that there is adequate co-operation between the different Government Departments? Would he consider convening a conference of the central Government Department and the local authorities on the problem and show some sign of coming to grips with the problem of the migration of the young from the North-East?

Mr. Hare

I agree that there should be very close co-operation between the Government Departments and all others concerned, and I maintain that there is. It is not fair to deny that much has been done.

Mr. Pentland

Does not the Minister agree that the Local Employment Act is expected to take account of future as well as present unemployment? In view of the fact that this is having only a slight impression on the present unemployment position in the northeast of England, in spite of what he promised us, will he tell us how he expects to solve the long-term problem and thereby stop the drift of young people to other parts of the country looking for jobs?

Mr. Hare

I hope the hon. Member noticed that as a result of Government policy there are 21,000 jobs in prospect in the North-East at the moment.

Mr. Lee

Does the Minister agree that when he talks of a need for mobility of labour it should be a two-way street? In other words, the present mobility means that all are coming South. Many of my hon. Friends who represent towns throughout the North will certify that they are losing population rapidly. Will the Minister look again at the use of certification for extensions in the South in order to try to persuade those who wish to extend their businesses in the South that they will be short of labour if they do and that they will be far better served if they agreed to go to the North?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Member and I have no quarrel on this. I made it clear in my Answer that we are encouraging firms to develop in parts of the country where unemployment is relatively high and are discouraging them from developing in congested areas.