HC Deb 12 December 1962 vol 669 cc395-6
19. Mr. Dugdale

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed were on the register of the West Bromwich Employment Exchange on 12th November, 1962.

Mr. Whitelaw

One thousand seven hundred and sixty-five, of whom 691 were temporarily stopped.

Mr. Dugdale

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that as long ago as June of this year grave concern was expressed locally at the high unemployment figures which are not only higher than those in the Midlands, but higher than the average for the country? Will he give this matter his very careful consideration? Does he realise that the Midlands can no longer be classed as an area free from unemployment, and that the position there is now rapidly approaching that in areas in the North-East and other areas for which he has a grave responsibility?

Mr. Whitelaw

I do not think I can go quite as far as agreeing with the right hon. Gentleman that the Midlands rival some of the other areas of the country. I should point out that over one-third of the unemployment figure that I gave referred to people who were temporarily stopped. The wholly unemployed rate in West Bromwich is 2.3 per cent. as against the national average of 2.2 per cent.

Mr. Cleaver

Can my hon. Friend say how many of these unemployed were immigrants?

Mr. Whitelaw

Not without notice.

Mr. Dugdale

Will the hon. Gentleman realise that immigrants are in exactly the same position as everybody else and have to be employed? We cannot say that they should be wiped out and do not count at all.

Mr. Whitelaw

I do not think that I ever made any such suggestion.