§ 19. Mr. Manuelasked the Minister of Labour what was the number of registered as unemployed at the Irvine, Kilwinning, and Kilbirnie employment exchanges at the nearest convenient date; and what action he will take to reduce the number.
§ Mr. GreenAt 18th June, 1962, 348 were registered at Irvine, 179 at Kilwinning and 235 at Kilbirnie. These numbers should be reduced as jobs in prospect mature.
§ Mr. ManuelThis seems like the old, old story. Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that this is a development district under the Local Employment Act? Is he also not aware that at Kilwinning there is an industrial estate which cost the Government more than £100,000 for site preparation and servicing? There has been only one factory on this estate since 1948, so will the hon. Gentleman try to advise the President of the Board of Trade to take action to build advance factories? Skilled labour is available in the neighbourhood.
§ Mr. GreenRegarding the last part of that question, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade gave an answer to the hon. Gentleman on 15th March last. It is a matter to be referred to my right hon. Friend and not to me. However, the hon. Member might like to bear in mind the fact that part of this area—and we realise its difficulties—is within daily travelling distance of an actual, as opposed to a pipeline, development at Linwood.
§ Mr. ManuelThat is utter nonsense.