§ 13. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Labour how many workers are unemployed in the Barnard Castle and Middleton-in-Teesdale areas; and what prospects there are of their being reemployed shortly.
§ Mr. WhitelawFour hundred and thirty on 11th February. I understand that employers in the area hope shortly to re-employ some of the men stood off owing to bad weather.
§ Mr. BoydenHow long must the figure remain at something like 11 per cent. before the Minister recommends the area as a development district?
§ Mr. WhitelawMy right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will certainly note what the hon. Member has said. It is fair to point out concerning these figures that a large number of the unemployed were temporarily stopped, due mainly to the weather. My local knowledge of the area, which lies between the hon. Member's constituency and my own, makes me realise that it is more subject to severe weather than many other places.
§ Mr. BoydenIs the Minister aware that he must travel in all these parts with a motor car?