Clydebank

HC Deb 04 February 1963 vol 671 cc7-8

8. Mr. Bence

asked the Minister of Labour how many adults were registered as unemployed on 31st December, 1962, at Clydebank Employment Exchange.

Mr. Whitelaw

Information is only available in respect of 14th January, the date of the count of the unemployed. At this date 1,756 adults were registered as unemployed at the Clydebank Employment Exchange.

Mr. Bence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a tragic situation in the burgh of Clydebank, especially with the possibility of a further considerable addition to that unemployment as a result of the developments which are taking place in the Singer Sewing Machine factory? Will the hon. Gentleman consult the President of the Board of Trade and see whether a piece of industrial land held by the Ingersoll Rand Company undeveloped can be released so that a British factory can be built there to absorb heavy unemployment in that part of Clydebank?

Mr. Whitelaw

The hon. Member will appreciate that for many personal reasons I certainly share his concern about these figures. I also note what he has said about land. The hon. Member, as he knows, had an opportunity of mentioning this to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade in a deputation last week, and I can assure him that the point will be very carefully studied.

9. Mr. Bence

asked the Minister of Labour how many youths and girls under the age of 21 were registered as unemployed on 31st December at Clydebank Employment Exchange.

Mr. Whitelaw

On 14th January, 189 youths and 83 girls under the age of 20 were registered. Figures are not available for 31st December and separate statistics are not collected for those aged between 20 and 21.

Mr. Bence

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is frightening when we have unemployment figures for young people in urban areas like this? There is nothing worse than to take young people out of school or half-way through apprenticeships, which is happening in many cases, and then get them unemployed. Will the hon. Gentleman see that something is done to secure employment for young people leaving school and to keep them in employment? There is a serious effect on their lives when they are unemployed.

Mr. Whitelaw

I absolutely agree with the hon. Member, but it is worth pointing out that only 25 out of a total of 253 Christmas school leavers are still without jobs. Therefore, a number of Christmas school leavers have got their first jobs. This is satisfactory.