HC Deb 28 January 1963 vol 670 cc576-7
45. Mr. Eden

asked the Minister of Labour what opportunities exist in the Bournemouth area for the employment of aircraft constructors and technicians; and how many men skilled in these trades are now registered with the Bournemouth Employment Exchange.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. William Whitelaw)

Vacancies for 29 skilled aircraft workers are held by the employment exchanges in the Bournemouth area and 28 such workers are registered at the Bournemouth Employment Exchange.

46. Mr. Eden

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the total male labour force permanently employed in the Bournemouth area is classified as being skilled in engineering and design work; and what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate prospects exist for their continued employment locally in the future.

Mr. Whitelaw

Information about people in employment is available by industries only and not by occupations and skills. I do not think any special steps for the purpose indicated by my hon. Friend are appropriate in this area.

Mr. Eden

Would not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it is undesirable that any area should be forced to rely almost entirely on a transient holiday trade? Would he not have another look at this matter and say what steps he can take, in consultation with other Government Departments, to try to ensure that skilled men are maintained in employment in this area and have every opportunity for the development of their crafts?

Mr. Whitelaw

I certainly note what my hon. Friend says. He will be the first to appreciate that there are other parts of the country which have considerably greater problems than he has.

Mr. Mellish

In view of the importance of this question, would it not be possible now to register Bournemouth as a development district?