§ 35. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed who had signed on at the employment exchange in West Bromwich at the last available date; what percentage of the employed population of West Bromwich this represents; and how this compares with the figures in December.
§ Mr. WhitelawAt 14th January, 1963, 1,708 persons, representing 3.7 per cent. of the insured population, were registered as unemployed at the West Bromwich Employment Exchange. The figures for 10th December, 1962, were 1,997 and 4.3 per cent. respectively.
§ Mr. DugdaleIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this figure is slightly above the national average and that therefore West Bromwich cannot be considered as an area which is particularly fortunate in its employment?
§ Mr. WhitelawOne would, I think, be bound to accept what the right hon. Gentleman says.