HC Deb 31 October 1966 vol 735 cc8-9
13. Mr. Luard

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the vacancies known to his Department in the Oxford area at the present time are in manufacturing and service industries, respectively.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

On 5th October, there were 1,420 vacancies in manufacturing industries—including 577 for men, 323 for women, 215 for boys and 305 for girls. There were 2,721 vacancies in service industries—including 738 for men, 1,140 for women, 328 for boys and 515 for girls.

Mr. Luard

In view of the fact that about 2,000 people will be made redundant in one of our most important exporting manufacturing industries, do not those figures show that the shake-out that was intended to take place is taking place in the opposite direction, out of manufacturing industries into service industries?

Mrs. Williams

It is true that, in the Oxford area in particular, service industries have more vacancies to offer than manufacturing. This is not the case in most other areas in which car workers are being made redundant.

Mr. Marten

Can the hon. Lady say how many people there are out of work today in the Oxford area?

Mrs. Williams

I am sorry. I cannot say at the moment. I will give the hon. Gentleman the figures later.