§ 29. Mrs. Hartasked the Minister of Labour how many men were unemployed in the area of Lanark at the latest convenient date.
§ Mrs. HartIs the Minister aware that this represents a deeply rooted long-term unemployment? Is he further aware that, unless we hear otherwise within the next two or three days, at the end of this week the number will be increased by redundancies from R.E.M.E. workshops in Lanark? Will he convey to his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War the fact that there is a social responsibility on the part of Government Departments to maintain employment, so far as they can, in areas of deeply-rooted high unemployment?
§ Mr. HareI assure the hon. Lady that we shall do all we can within reason to see that we do maintain as much employment as possible. This is not an easy problem. I will certainly draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to what she has just said.