HC Deb 02 July 1963 vol 680 cc173-5
5. Mr. Ellis Smith

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent, in considering the problem of unemployment in Stoke-on-Trent, he has regard to those provisions of the Local Employment Act which deal with relatively high percentages of men who suffer from industrial diseases and incapacity.

Mr. Erroll

Although the proportion of unemployed disabled workers in the Stoke-on-Trent group of employment exchange areas is above the national average, unemployment generally in this area is low. The Local Employment Act requires me to pay particular regard to the needs of areas of high unemployment listed as development districts. I am prepared, however, to approve suitable industrial development in the Stoke-on-Trent area which could not go to a district of greater need.

Mr. Ellis Smith

While appreciating, within limits, that reply, may I ask whether the President of the Board of Trade agrees that the Local Employment Act provides for special circumstances of this kind, where the proportion of men and women suffering from industrial disease is greater than that in other parts of the country; and that the Act should provide for the special circumstances here?

Mr. Erroll

These special circumstances are taken into account when assessing suitability of employment—creating opportunities which will be set up in such a district.

Mr. Swingler

Has the President of the Board of Trade looked at the proportion of disabled unemployed in Newcastle-under-Lyme, adjacent to Stoke-on-Trent, where he will find the proportion to be well above the national average? Will he take that into account in considering the region of north Staffordshire as a whole?

Mr. Erroll

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I will take that sort of consideration into account.

Mr. Ellis Smith

I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's reply to my last supplementary question, but does he agree that what he has rightly stated has not applied in the past; and will he give an undertaking that it will apply in the future?

Mr. Erroll

I think that it has applied in the past, and it will certainly apply in the future.