§ 8. Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Labour what percentages of adult male insured workers were registered as unemployed in the Falmouth and in the Camborne-Redruth areas at the latest available date.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsPercentage rates are not available for adult males separately but only for all males. At 14th November, 1966, the percentage rate of unemployment for males was 8.2 at Falmouth, and 6.9 at Camborne and Redruth.
§ Dr. DunwoodyDoes not my hon. Friend agree that this is a disturbing picture? Would she agree that, in these difficult areas like West Cornwall, no Government has yet succeeded in providing continuous full employment? Would she, therefore, consider whether it is possible for her Ministry to institute a thoroughgoing exhaustive investigation into the employment situation in these scattered areas like West Cornwall?
§ Mrs. WilliamsWhile agreeing with what my hon. Friend says, I would point out that the unemployment percentage in Falmouth a year ago was 12.9, so that there has been a substantial improvement there. I would also point out that the Industrial Development Act, which covers Cornwall, only came into operation on 19th August, and it is hoped that it will be possible to attract 9 new industry with new offers of employment to Cornwall as a result of this further legislation.
§ Mr. Peter MillsIt is rarely that I agree with the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Dr. John Dunwoody), but on this occasion I fully agree with him. Would the Parliamentary Secretary make a thorough investigation into the whole problem of unemployment in the South-West?
§ Mrs. WilliamsI would point out that I only recently visited the South-West and I am aware of the structural problems which exist particularly in Cornwall.