22. Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the British Railways Viaduct Works, Earlestown, is due to close in 1964, with a loss of 1,800 jobs, and that it is now proposed to close both Earlestown and Newton-le-Willows railway stations; and what plans he has to absorb those who will be unemployed.
§ Mr, HareI am aware of these closures, although I understand that the number of redundancies at the workshops will be somewhat lower than that suggested in the Question. The full facilities of my Department, including training where this is appropriate, will be available to workers seeking our help.
Employment Exchange Area | 11th March, 1963 | 12th March, 1962 | ||
Number of Unemployed | Percentage of Insured Employees | Number of Unemployed | Percentage of Insured Employees | |
Hyde | 480 | 2.2 | 283 | 1.3 |
Stalybridge | 305 | 2.9 | 349 | 3.3 |
Ashton-under-Lyne (includes Dukinfield) | 899 | 2.8 | 827 | 2.6 |
Glossop (includes Longdendale and Tintwistle) | 155 | 1.7 | 36 | 0.4 |
§ Note.—Figures are available only for Employment Exchange areas.
§ 24. Mr. Blackburnasked the Minister of Labour how many young people under 18 years of age are unemployed in Hyde, Stalybridge, Dukinfield, Longdendale and Tintwistle, respectively; and what were the comparable figures for 1962.
§ Mr. WhitelawOn 11th March, 1963, 37 in Hyde, which includes Dukinfield, Longdendale and Tintwistle, and 14 in
Mr. LeeDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Government's policy at present seems to be to make quite sure that my constituents have no work in Earlestown and then, by closing the stations, to make equally certain that they cannot get work outside Earlestown? Will he, therefore, impress upon the Minister of Transport the very large number of people in the towns which are dependent on the railways and the fact that there is no evidence that the Viaduct Works is not a very good paying proposition, and will he ask him to reverse the whole process?
§ Mr. HareMy right hon. Friend will, I know, note what the hon. Gentleman has said. I cannot, of course, prejudge his reply to it.