HC Deb 18 December 1967 vol 756 c913
43. Mr. Mawby

asked the Minister of Labour what is the latest figure in total numbers and percentage for unemployment in the South-West; and how this compares with the equivalent month in 1962.

Mr. Fernyhough

The figures were 76,700 and 2.7 per cent. in November, 1967, and 27,900 and 2.2 per cent. in November, 1962.

Mr. Mawby

Is the Minister aware that this is a rise of 0.3 per cent. from one month to the next, and, at this rate of increase, is it not time that the Government took positive steps to check unemployment?

Mr. Fernyhough

The figures which I gave are for comparative months in 1962 and 1967.

Dr. John Dunwoody

Would not my hon. Friend agree that the real problem is not the total number of unemployed in this region, but the fact that a high proportion of them is concentrated in the far South-West, in the South-West Development Area?

Mr. Fernyhough

It is precisely because we recognise that that the grants have been made availble to the development areas.