§ 23. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the increased unemployment in the Central West Fife area, the consequent overcrowding of existing employment exchanges, and the travelling costs falling on those unemployed, he will consider opening further exchanges at Bowhill and Kelty.
§ Mr. WhitelawMy right hon. Friend hopes to provide temporary offices at Bowhill and Kelty next week.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in one way we are grateful for this but in so far as it is a reflection on the Government's inability to solve the unemployment problem it is highly unsatisfactory? Is he aware that unemployment in Fife generally has gone up 93 per cent. in the last eight months, and very much more than that in the mining areas, and it is likely to get worse? In those circumstances, will not he and the Government take adequate steps to obviate the need to extend the facilities of employment exchanges?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am glad that I have satisfied the hon. Gentleman in doing what he was asking about. As to his wider remarks, I think he knows as well as anyone else the many steps which are being taken to improve the unemployment position.
§ Mr. BenceCan the hon. Gentleman tell us how many new jobs are likely to be created by the extension of employment exchanges in Scotland?
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the estimate for expenditure under the Local Employment Act for 1963–64 is about half the estimate for the previous year? How on earth can he expect to solve the unemployment problem and, therefore, obviate the need for expanding employment exchange facilities in these circumstances?
§ Mr. WhitelawI think the hon. Gentleman would be the first to agree that his remarks go very much wider than the Question he put to me.