§ 12. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Labour what the latest available figure is of unemployed in the London area; and what the corresponding figure was last year.
§ Mr. WhitelawOn 14th October there were 52,582 persons unemployed compared with 58,796 in October, 1962.
§ Mr. LiptonAlthough there has been some improvement in the local situation, do not these figures show the need to arrest the continuing drift of population to the London area, where the housing 609 situation is desperate and traffic congestion is worsening? Will the hon. Gentleman enter into active consultation with the other guilty Ministers involved to deal with these unhappy results of twelve years of Tory rule?
§ Mr. WhitelawSo far as I could understand the hon. Member, he seemed to be trying to ride two horses at the same time. He started by welcoming the improvement during the last year and then said that the improvement was a pity. He cannot have it both ways.