§ 5. Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the President of the Board of Trade, why he will not accept a given rate of migration from any one area of the country as an indication of unemployment in that area, with a view to directing Government assistance towards it.
§ Mr. ErrollFirst, because I have no powers; and secondly, because first priority must go to the areas of high and persistent unemployment.
§ Mr. Wolrige-GordonIs my right hon. Friend aware that migration is an indication of unemployment? Would it be possible for my right hon. Friend to establish how many areas would need to be included if a given rate of migration became a criterion for assistance under the Local Employment Act?
§ Mr. ErrollNaturally I shall try to help my hon. Friend with the provision of information. But as migration is not one of the factors which I am required to take into consideration, I do not feel that we should get very far by embarking on what would be a difficult and complicated exercise.