§ 17. Mr. Stonesasked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers of persons unemployed in the employment exchange areas of Stanley and Consett, County Durham, at the latest convenient date; what percentage of the total working population these figures represent; and how they compare with those of the same dates in 1960 and 1961.
§ Mr. WhitelawAs the reply takes the form of a table of figures I will with permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. StonesWhile I would have appreciated the information desired at this moment, I think that I am in possession of information with regard to the alarming increase in unemployment. May I ask that when the hon. Gentleman does have the figures he will take remedial action rather than force men to migrate from this area to other areas in search of work?
§ Mr. WhitelawI think I should make it clear that I said that I had the figures and would circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I note what the hon. Gentleman says. Perhaps I should tell him that in November, 1962, unemployment in Stanley was 934, or 4.8 per cent., and in Consett it was 1,047, or 5.1 per cent. I think the hon. Gentleman knows very well what efforts are being made both in general expansion of the economy and in local efforts to improve the position.
§ Following are the figures:
§ Mr. HareMy local officers are doing all they can to help men who are redundant in the shipbuilding industry to find alternative jobs which will make use of their skills.
§ Dame Irene WardHaving regard to that sympathetic reply, would I be right in assuming that my right hon. Friend 395 would be pleased to help his officers in the areas where shipbuilding is slowing down, by making representations, as I am sure he will, to the Cabinet as a whole to accelerate the naval shipbuilding programme? Is he aware that this will keep skilled men in occupation? Would he please appreciate how disastrous it would be to Tyneside and other shipbuilding areas if the skilled labour force were allowed to disperse and cause enormous havoc such as was caused at the beginning of the last wax when they had been dispersed because of unemployment? Would my right hon. Friend get on to the Admiralty?
§ Mr. HareI entirely agree with what my hon. Friend said about the need for a skilled labour force. I am certain that this is one of the considerations we must bear in mind, in looking forward to a period of expansion, to see that these areas where there is heavy unemployment do not lose the chance of expansion merely because there is not enough skilled labour available. On the other part of the question, I must not succumb to the blandishments of my hon. Friend. She is trying to drive a wedge between me and the rest of the Cabinet, but I will see that my right hon. Friends are made aware of what she has said.
§ Mr. PopplewellYes, but—
§ Mr. SpeakerNo. Mr. Dugdale.