§ 14. Mr. Luardasked the Minister of Labour how many of those British Motor Corporation workers recently made redundant in Oxford were found employment by his Department in the manufacturing and service industries, respectively.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsThe redundancies are not due to take effect until Friday, 4th November. However, we have so far found employment for 33 of those workers in manufacturing industries, 62 in service industries, and 35 in others.
§ Mr. LuardDo not those figures again confirm that most of those who have been made redundant are finding employment in service industries? As the Minister recognised in debate last week that there 10 is a special problem in Oxford owing to the lack of alternative employment, may I ask whether my hon. Friend can give an assurance that prompt, decisive and co-ordinated action will be taken by the Ministries responsible to ensure that adequate employment is found in Oxford to take on these workers?
§ Mrs. WilliamsYes, Sir. We have approached no fewer than 2,500 firms in the Oxford area by personal letter. At the moment, in the immediate Oxford area—that is to say, within possible travelling distance—there are 6,850 vacancies for men.