HC Deb 05 November 1962 vol 666 cc574-5
6. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of persons in Aberdeen who are now unemployed, according to trades, industries and sexes, together with comparable figures for each of the last 10 years at the corresponding time of year.

Mr. Hare

As the reply consists of tables of figures, I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The tables contain figures of unemployment by sexes for each October from 1952 to 1962, and the analysis by industry and sex for 1962. The analysis by industry is not readily available for previous years, and I regret that it would involve a disproportionate amount of staff time to produce.

Mr. Hughes

Does not the Minister realise that this Question also refers to a very real and difficult social problem? Will he consult the Secretary of State for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade, both of whom have given promises to take steps to maintain employment in the North-East of Scotland, with a view to devising means for enabling Ministers to redeem their promises to the Scottish people?

Mr. Hare

I think the hon. and learned Gentleman knows that I am in very close touch with my other Government colleagues and that I certainly share his concern. I had the pleasure and honour of visiting the constituency which he represents and the surrounding area a very short time ago.

Lady Tweedsmuir

Can the Minister say whether, as a result of this visit, he expects that the employment position in Aberdeen will be worsened or kept steady during the winter months; and,

Numbers OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT ABERDEEN EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICE
Date Males Females Total
15th October, 1962 … … … … … … 2,139 725 2,864
16th October, 1961 … … … … … … 2,126 585 2,711
10th October, 1960 … … … … … … 2,055 550 2,605
12th October, 1959 … … … … … … 2,633 775 3,408
13th October, 1958 … … … … … … 2,499 890 3,389
14th October, 1957 … … … … … … 1,735 561 2,296
15th October, 1956 … … … … … … 1,763 592 2,355
10th October, 1955 … … … … … … 1,486 599 2,085
11th October, 1954 … … … … … … 1,449 611 2,060
12th October, 1953 … … … … … … 1,626 721 2,347
13th October, 1952 … … … … … … 1,785 690 2,475
INDUSTRIAL ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBER OF PERSONS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AT ABERDEEN EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AT 15TH OCTOBER, 1962
Industry Males Females Total
Agriculture and horticulture … … … 59 7 66
Fishing … … … 149 — 149
Bacon curing, meat and fish products … … … 91 40 131
Shipbuilding and ship repairing … … … 83 1 84
Spinning and doubling of cotton, flax and man-made fibres 25 19 44
Bricks, pottery, glass, cement, etc. … … … 42 1 44
Timber … … … 73 1 74
Construction … … … 221 4 225
Sea transport … … … 120 1 121
Distributive trades … … … 244 201 445
Entertainment and sport … … … 56 9 65
Catering, hotels, etc. … … … 113 59 172
Private domestic service … … … 7 20 27
Local government service … … … 150 20 170
Other industries and services … … … 705 342 1,047
Total, All industries and services … … … 2,139 725 2,864