HC Deb 14 June 1965 vol 714 cc4-5
5. Mr. Woodnutt

asked the Minister of Labour what were the unemployment statistics in the Isle of Wight for each year of the three years ended April, 1965; and if he will give an estimate of the redundancies expected in the shipbuilding department of J. Samuel White at Cowes in the period 1st April to 30th September, 1965.

Mr. Marsh

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the monthly average numbers unemployed in the Isle of Wight during the years ended April, 1963, 1964 and 1965. J. Samuel White and Co. Ltd. has declared 71 shipyard workers redundant (luring the period 1st April to 11th June, but it has re-engaged 16 of these for work in its engineering department. I understand from the firm that about 400 more workers in the shipyard will become redundant between now and 30th September, but provided that the firm obtains additional work for its engineering department it hopes to offer alternative employment to at least some of these.

Mr. Woodnutt

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that reply. Is he aware that 500 unemployed in the Isle of Wight represent approximately 1½ per cent. of our total employed population and that therefore the position is extremely serious

ISLE OF WIGHT—MONTHLY AVERAGE UNEMPLOYMENT
Period Men Boys Women Girls Total Temporaily Stopped included in total Per cent.
May,1962-April, 1963 749 55 251 57 1,112 37 3.5
May,1963-April, 1964 667 30 228 43 968 10 3.0
May,1964-April, 1965 635 21 182 27 865 18 2.5