HC Deb 20 December 1962 vol 669 cc1432-3
33. Mr. Hayman

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the prospects of new industries being established in Falmouth and Penryn.

Mr. Erroll

The facilities of the Local Employment Act are available in Falmouth and Penryn, and we will continue to do all we can to bring the area to the notice of suitable firms. There is no new jobs in prospect in Falmouth, but there are a considerable number in the neighbouring area of Camborne-Redruth.

Mr. Hayman

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that at Falmouth recently the percentage of unemployment was 20, and in the ship-repairing yard it was 66.6? Will the right hon. Gentleman do something to see that new industries are taken to Falmouth and Penryn which are 15 miles away from the industrial development area of Camborne and Redruth?

Mr. Erroll

Unemployment in the Falmouth Employment Exchange Area fluctuates widely according to the season aid the state of employment or unemployment in the Silley Cox ship-repairing yard, but I have recently received a report that four boats have come into the dockyard for repair, and these should reduce the male unemployment rate.

Mr. Hayman

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that the average periods of unemployment in the Silley Cox ship-repairing yard have been increasing, and the periods have been lengthening, and that the position really is very serious at the present time?

Mr. Erroll

I do not wish in any way to minimise the seriousness of the situation, but I thought it only right to mention also the bit of good news which I have given.