§ 5. Mr. McBrideasked the Minister of Labour how many industries including coal mines, iron and steel works, and tinplate works, in Wales, have ceased production during the last 12 years; and how many men and women have lost employment as a result of the closure of these industries.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour (Mr. William Whitelaw)I regret that this information is not available. The number of employees in employment in Wales increased from 907,000 in mid-1950 to 954,000 in mid-1962. The figures for mid-1963 are not yet available.
§ Mr. McBrideSurely the hon. Gentleman will be aware of the survey taken by the trade unions covering the period 1951–61, which showed a decline of 100,000 jobs in the basic traditional industries? Furthermore, is the hon. Gentleman aware that the insured population of Wales has increased by only 14,000 in the period 1960–62? Does not this matter require more attention than the Minister is giving to it, since it covers a wide field embracing agriculture, forestry and fishing, chemicals and allied manufactures, metal manufactures and mining? Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that remedial measures should be undertaken?
§ Mr. WhitelawThe hon. Gentleman asks me for information about the closures. Of course, our officers know about the major closures, but we do not have the comprehensive information which he seeks because there is no obligation on employers to notify particular closures. The number of people in employment in Wales shows that the trend, as the hon. Gentleman has suggested, is declining in agriculture, coalmining, shipbuilding and marine engineering, but on the other hand it is increasing in iron and steel, engineering and electrical groups, construction, distribution and professional and scientific services. On the whole, this indicates an increase in the total number employed.