HC Deb 09 March 1964 vol 691 c10
14. Commander Kerans

asked the Minister of Labour, whether, in view of the shortage of labour in the civil engineering industry in certain areas of this country, he will take measures to assist men to find jobs in road and other building work from areas of high unemployment such as The Hartlepools.

Mr. Godber

My Department circulates notified vacancies for skilled construction workers to areas of high unemployment, including The Hartlepools. There is no general shortage of other types of construction worker.

Commander Kerans

I understand from the civil and engineering world that in many areas there is a shortage of unskilled labour for road development such as is envisaged by the investment programme of the Government. Will not my right hon. Friend look into this matter again, because although firms like Yuills, of The Hartlepools, and Wimpey take up a certain amount of slack, there is still 6.3 per cent. unemployed, and I am sure that something can be done about taking up the slack?

Mr. Cadber

I recognise that there is this high degree of unemployment in my hon. and gallant Friend's constituency. On the other hand, substantial new projects are coming forward in the area and people in such areas are, naturally, reluctant to leave them if employment will be forthcoming in their own area. We have to keep the matter in review.

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