§ 43. Mr. Mawbyasked 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. FernyhoughThe figures were 76,700 and 2.7 per cent. in November, 1967, and 27,900 and 2.2 per cent. in November, 1962.
§ Mr. MawbyIs 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. FernyhoughThe figures which I gave are for comparative months in 1962 and 1967.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyWould 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. FernyhoughIt is precisely because we recognise that that the grants have been made availble to the development areas.