HC Deb 21 May 1962 vol 660 cc6-8
5. Mr. Pentland

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the continuing increase in the unemployment rate in the steel, shipbuilding, ship-repairing and metal manufacturing industries in the North-East Region of England; and what new proposals Her Majesty's Government have to assist these industries and so reduce the level of unemployment.

Mr. Hare

Of course, I am aware that unemployment in these industries continues at a relatively high level in the North-East. I hope that the discussions which I am having with the shipbuilding employers and trade unions may help the industry to improve its competitive ability. The recovery of the iron and steel industry will depend upon the state of the economy and on world trade. The industry is well equipped to take advantage of any improvement in demand.

Mr. Pentland

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that every time the Government implement policies which retard industrial expansion and production the industries which I have mentioned in my Question are the first in the North-East to suffer? Can he tell when he will introduce a policy which will bring about a permanent upsurge in the production of these industries and guarantee security of employment for their workers?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Gentleman must be fair and recognise that in the last ten years 63,000 new jobs have been created in the North-East Region. That is progress for which industrial development certificates are responsible. Also, as the hon. Gentleman knows, we are not sitting back content with what we have done. There are at the moment about 22,000 jobs in prospect in the region.

Mr. Blyton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are not so much concerned about the jobs in the pipeline, which we regard as a pipe dream, but we are conscious of the fact that nothing tangible is coming to the North-East to absorb the unemployment which is occurring there? When can we have something done to absorb the unemployment created by redundancy in the mines und other occupations?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Gentleman must be careful about terms that he uses. On occasions the 63,000 jobs which have been created in the area were termed by hon. Members opposite as "jobs in the pipeline" and "mere pipe dreams". There is no reason why the 22,000 jobs in prospect should not become physical facts of life like the other 63,000.