§ 10. Miss Herbisonasked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed were registered at the Airdrie and Coatbridge employment exchanges in April, 1962, and April, 1963; and what percentage of insured workers these figures represent.
§ Mr. WhitelawThere were 1,135 unemployed at Airdrie and 1,770 at Coat-bridge in April, 1962, compared with 1,543 and 2,159 respectively in the same month this year. Both these areas are in the North Lanarkshire travel-to-work group, in which the rate of unemployment in April, 1962, was 6.2 per cent. compared with 8.2 per cent. last month.
§ Miss HerbisonDo not these figures once again show the serious nature of unemployment in this area? The Minister speaks of the travel-to-work radius, but has he ever considered where the jobs are going, and also that if they are outside the area covered by the employment exchange there is little chance of the people getting work? In conjunction with the President of the Board of Trade, will the hon. Gentleman try to find work —something which the Government have been unable to do, as a result of their policies, for the 12 years they have been ruling this country?
§ Mr. WhitelawI cannot accept that we have been unable to find work for 12 years.
§ Mr. WillisThe Government have had 12 years.
§ Mr. WhitelawAs I said before, what we are doing now will, I hope, give mounting evidence of the success of the Government's policy.