HC Deb 20 February 1967 vol 741 cc1117-21
5. Mr. Winnick

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on present unemployment figures.

The Minister of Labour (Mr. R. J. Gunter)

Though the January figures showed a further increase in unemployment, they confirmed indications that the rate of increase has moderated since November, 1966. The results of the February count will be published on 23rd February.

Mr. Winnick

Unlike the crocodile tears from the other side, is my right hon. Friend aware that there is deep concern in the Labour movement about the present unemployment figures, and that there is a fierce determination that these figures should not increase during the course of the year?

Mr. Gunter

I am aware of the deep concern felt by all people about any rise in unemployment.

Mr. Biffen

Before the right hon. Gentleman listens to any siren advice about the desirability of reflation, will he acquaint himself with the excellent Hobart Paper published today and written by Professor Paish?

Mr. Gunter

I happen to have read it already.

13. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Minister of Labour what were the numbers wholly unemployed and on short-time working, respectively, in January, 1967; what estimates he will give for April, July, and October, 1967, and January, 1968; and what steps he is taking to reduce the numbers wholly unemployed and working short time.

Mr. Gunter

On 9th January, 1967, there were in Great Britain 527,350 persons registered as wholly unemployed and 72,807 persons temporarily stopped who had been temporarily laid off by their employers for a period which included the above date. These figures exclude certain other persons who, although temporarily laid off by their employers, were not unemployed on 9th January, 1967.

In the week ended 17th December, 1966, the latest date for which information is available, it is estimated that there were 164,900 operatives in manufacturing industries subject to short-time working arrangements.

I am not prepared to give any forward estimates of unemployment or short-time working. Measures to reduce unemployment are for the Government as a whole. In my own Department the employment, training and rehabilitation services are being developed and expanded.

Mr. Roberts

Would not my right hon. Friend accept, however, that long-term calculations in this respect are most important? Would he agree that industrial and professional workers are looking to this Government to provide economic expansion coupled with full employment? Would he further agree that part of his Ministry's function is to bury Tory stop-go for ever?

Mr. Gunter

I understand the thinking behind my hon. Friend's remarks, but one rôle which I refuse to assume at the moment is that of a prophet.

Mr. Ridley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proportion of the unemployed living in development areas is as high as it has ever been? Is he proposing special measures to help the regions, in view of the catastrophic effects of this Government's policy on the development areas?

Mr. Gunter

I doubt the accuracy of the first part of that question, but, as has already been indicated in a previous Question, the Board of Trade and the other Departments of Government are giving special attention to development areas.

Mr. Edward M. Taylor

Does the Minister recall telling me last week that unemployment over the last month in Scotland increased by more than 10 per cent.—double the rate in England? Does he expect this increase to go on during the next year and will it continue to increase at double the rate for England?

Mr. Gunter

The hon. Gentleman knows as well as I that, although the figures are bad in Scotland, they are not quite as bad as in the rest of the country. On his other point, I again decline to make a prophesy.

Mr. Heller

Would my right hon. Friend agree, without making any exaggerated statements, that unemployment has nevertheless increased in development areas, particularly on Merseyside? Will he make certain that the President of the Board of Trade steps up his activity in this direction to ensure that employment is brought to these areas?

Mr. Gunter

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, as my hon. Friend knows, is already taking a very active interest in the Merseyside area.

27. Dr. John Dunwoody

asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage of employed workers registered as unemployed in the South-Western Development Area, in the other development areas together, and in the remainder of Great Britain.

Mr. Fernyhough

At 9th January, 1967, the percentage rate of unemployment in the South-Western Development Area was 6.1, in other development areas 4.1, and in the remainder of Great Britain 2.1.

Dr. Dunwoody

Would not my hon. Friend agree that these figures are somewhat disturbing? Will he consider consulting his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see whether some additional assistance could be given to the worst hit areas, possibly by an adjustment of Selective Employment Tax?

Mr. Fernyhough

As I have intimated, the question of S.E.T. is under review, as are all other matters. They must be taken into account when my right hon. Friend is framing his Budget. My hon. Friend will be aware that the area about which he is speaking is in a development area. Since 1964, four new factories have been completed there and two of those have already been allocated. He can take it for granted that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will do everything he can, and that we shall give him all the assistance we can, to see that his constituents find the work which they are seeking.

Sir K. Joseph

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us the proportionate increase in unemployment in the South-Western Development Area between the latest figures which he has given and those of June, 1966, and for the country as a whole?

Mr. Fernyhough

Not without notice; but if the right hon. Gentleman puts down a Question he will certainly be given them.

Sir K. Joseph

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that he should have this background information and that if he had it, it would b[...] seen that unemployment in the South-Western Development Area has risen proportionately since June, 1966, very much more than for the country as a whole, and that thus the Prime Minister's assurance that the development areas would be exempted from the 20th July measures has been shown to be nonsense?

Mr. Fernyhough

I would very much doubt that—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]— but I will see that the right hon. Gentleman gets the information he is seeking.

Mr. Geoffrey Wilson

Would the hon. Gentleman agree that the figures he has given show that the measures that have already been taken are not sufficient and that something further should be done for the South-West?

Mr. Fernyhough

Of course, I appreciate that the figures are unsatisfactory. That is why I said that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is doing everything he can to provide further jobs there.