§ 1. Mr. Peter Millsasked the Minister of Labour how many men, women and juveniles from the Bideford development area received Government training in the period May 1964 to May 1965.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. R. J. Gunter)Thirteen persons from the Bideford development district attended training courses under the vocational training scheme in the period May 1964 to May 1965.
§ Mr. MillsI wonder whether the Minister realises that the unemployment figure in this area is still persisting fairly high and has shown no improvement this last month. Would he not agree that this is a very serious problem for our area and that training is the only answer?
§ Mr. GunterI understand the position of the hon. Member, but I do not consider that this area has sufficient industry or population to support a centre of economic size. As the hon. Member knows, people from North Devon who go away from home for training are helped to find lodgings and are paid lodging allowance.