§ 7. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the unemployment rate in Glasgow at the mast recent convenient date.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, translated into human terms, 4.9 per cent. represents 27,000 unemployed persons in the Glasgow district? Does he realise that this is the highest which the oldest inhabitant in Glasgow can recollect? Is he further aware that the President of the Board of Trade informed me last Thursday that it was expected this year that 1,400 new jobs would be available to offset this? Since these 1,400 expectations were raised, 1,400 hopes have been blasted by the closing of Lobnitz's shipyard, thus keeping the score equal. What is his right hon. Friend at the Board of Trade doing to help Glasgow and district in this appalling situation?
§ Mr. HareI realise what these percentage figures mean in human terms. We are doing all we can as a Government to stimulate industrial development in the area. The House knows the proposals put forward by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the efforts of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. Both are doing all they can to steer new industry to these areas and also to stimulate the economy generally.
§ Mr. HannanDoes not the right hon. Gentleman recognise how empty and flaccid his words are? Is he aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Minister for Science and the Minister of Transport are all visiting Glasgow this weekend about this very problem? Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to consult them on their return and learn what representations have been made to them? If he is still talking to them at all, will he try to concert his efforts with theirs in order to do something drastic to relieve the situation?