§ 42. Mr. Warbeyasked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the growth of long-term unemployment in certain trades in the North and East Midlands, notably the hosiery and knitwear industry, he will establish an industrial training centre in the Nottingham area, and make it available to men and women who have become, or are likely soon to become, redundant in their own trades.
§ Mr. WhitelawMy right hon. Friend is considering the need for expanded training facilities in the country generally and he will bear the needs of the Nottingham area in mind.
§ Mr. WarbeyWill the Parliamentary Secretary ask his right hon. Friend to do something seriously and urgently about this matter in view of the fact 944 that unemployment in the hosiery industry has trebled in the Midlands area over the last year? Does it make sense to expect men to make a return journey of 100 miles in order to get industrial retraining? What does the Minister intend to do in the near future about this?
§ Mr. WhitelawI note what the hon. Gentleman says. It is fair to point out that the level of unemployment in the Nottingham area is below the national average. That must be borne in mind.
§ Mr. WarbeyWill the hon. Gentleman note what I said in my supplementary question, namely, that in the hosiery and knitwear industry unemployment has trebled over the past year and that thousands of workers who are now on short time expect to become redundant in the next few months? This is a very serious and urgent matter. Will the hon. Gentleman do something about it quickly?
§ Mr. WhitelawI said that I noted what the hon. Gentleman said. I have now noted again what he has said.