§ 2. Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Minister of Labour what was the average percentage of unemployment in the Greenock-Poet Glasgow area during the years 1959, 1960, 1961, and during 1962 up to the latest available date.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. William Whitelaw)8.0 per cent. for 1959, 8.2 per cent. for 1960, 7.2 per cent. for 1961, and 7.5 per cent, for January to November this year.
§ Dr. MabonDo not these figures establish beyond any shadow of doubt that the Government have failed, and are failing, to solve the critical unemployment situation in this vital industrial centre? Cannot the Minister ginger up his colleagues at the Board of Trade and elsewhere to do something to fulfil their General Election promises about full employment?
§ Mr. WhitelawI cannot accept for one moment what the hon. Gentleman says, nor can I agree with him that my right hon. Friends need gingering up in any way. What they have already done will materially improve the employment situation, and they have many other plans which will improve it still further.
§ 15. Dr. Dickson Mabonasked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage of unemployment in the Greenock-Port Glasgow area at the latest available date; and what steps he proposes to take to improve employment prospects in the area.
§ Mr. Whitelaw8.6 per cent. at 12th November. The Government are continuing to do all they can to encourage industrial expansion in the area where the full facilities of the Local Employment Act are available.
§ Dr. MabonDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that that sounds more like a threat than a promise, in view of our experience? Will he reconsider the industrial retraining of many of these men, who do not look as though they will ever 383 get back into their own trades? Would he not be wise to accept his own responsibility in the matter and urge the President of the Board of Trade to do something for the area?
§ Mr. WhitelawI do not think that the President of the Board of Trade needs any encouraging to do something in the area. The hon. Member is being a little less than just in view of what has been done and the jobs already provided of which he knows. My right hon. Friend is doing everything he can to improve and extend facilities for retraining.
§ Mr. MillanCan the Parliamentary Secretary say how many retraining places are readily available at the Hillington centre and what expansion is expected? Is not the number of places very small and quite inadequate to meet the needs?
§ Mr. WhitelawOf course it is a small amount—
§ Mr. WhitelawNot without notice, although I should be delighted to let the hon. Member know. It is not as many as we would wish and we want to have more, but it is evidence of a thoroughly good start. I should have thought that it would have been accepted as such.