HC Deb 28 February 1962 vol 654 c1323
20. Mr. Grey

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the percentage loss of working days per man in the North-East through unofficial disputes from 1949 to the present date; and how these figures compare with those for the rest of the country.

Mr. Hare

The percentage loss of working days, due to all industrial disputes, unofficial and official, in the Ministry of Labour's Northern Region during the years 1955 to 1960 inclusive, was about one-tenth of 1 per cent. per employee, substantially the same figure as for the rest of the United Kingdom.

Regional figures for the years 1949 to 1954 are not available.

Mr. Grey

Do these figures compare favourably with the rest of the country? Will the right hon. Gentleman find ways and means of drawing this fact to the attention of industrialists to try to induce them to come up there?

Mr. Hare

I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I very much hope that firms considering expansion will look to the North-East and bear an mind the point which the hon. Member has made in the House today.