§ 9. Miss Herbisonasked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed were registered at the Shotts and Wishaw employment exchanges in April, 1962, and April, 1963; and what percentages of insured workers these figures represent.
§ Mr. WhitelawIn Shotts there were 350, or 5.3 per cent. unemployed in April, 1962, compared with 663 or 10 per cent. last month. In Wishaw there were 1,183 unemployed in April, 1962, compared with 1,534 last month. A percentage rate is not available for Wishaw, but the rate for the North Lanarkshire travel to-work group of which it is part was 6.2 per cent. in April, 1962, and 8.2 per cent. last month.
§ Miss HerbisonDoes not the Minister agree that these figures show that the heavy unemployment in these areas is not a seasonal matter, but that there is something basically wrong? What does he propose to do to ensure that these many decent men and women will find work soon?
§ Mr. WhitelawI agree that the problems in the area are not of a seasonal nature, and I also agree that this is a matter of concern to us all. The hon. Lady knows the measures which the Government have taken and are taking, both before and during the Budget, to improve the position. I would point out further that the value of the two advance factories at Shotts and one each at Bathgate and Airdrie are part of the Government measures which have particular relevance to this area. It takes time for these measures to take effect, but as they do so I am sure that they will prove to be the right method of tackling this problem.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that we are continually being told about these travel-to-work areas? Is he also aware that from Airdrie only 17 have found employment with B.M.C., and from Shotts and the villages surrounding it only 14 have been employed there 414 up to date? We do not want talk about the Budget; we want real evidence that work is coming to this area.
§ Mr. WhitelawI can only tell the hon. Lady that we trust that the measures we have taken will soon give her that evidence.