§ 37. Mr. Wallasked the Minister of Labour what is the present level of unem- 568 ployment in the city of Kingston-upon-Hull and in the East Riding, respectively; and how these figures compare with other major industrial and agricultural areas in the North-East.
§ Mr. HareAt 14th January the rate of unemployment was 3.7 per cent. in the Hull-Hessle area and 4.6 per cent. in the area comprising the Employment Exchanges of Beverley, Bridlington, Driffield, Filey and Pocklington. The level of unemployment was considerably higher on Teeside, and in the rest of the North Riding, on Tyneside and in the rest of Northumberland and on Wearside.
§ Mr. WallUnemployment figures in Hull and the East Riding are better than in other parts of the North-East, but can my right hon. Friend say what measures he has in mind for checking a further increase? Should those measures fail and should there be a further increase, will he give consideration to the construction of the long overdue Humber Bridge?
§ Mr. HareI should be obliged if my hon. Friend would refer the last part of his supplementary question to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport. On the general point, I think my hon. Friend is well aware of the very extensive measures my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is taking to secure the expansion of the economy as a whole.