§ 53. Sir D. Gloverasked the Minister of Labour what is the latest figure in total numbers and percentages for unemployment in the North-Western Region; and how this compares with the corresponding month in 1962.
§ Mr. GunterThe figures were 68,948 and 2.3 per cent. in June, 1967, and 69,449 and 2.3 per cent. in June, 1962.
§ Sir D. GloverIs not the right hon. Gentleman disturbed by the fact that the same trend has been shown in all the Answers to these sorts of Questions today? Is he aware that now, in the middle of the summer, unemployment is rising when, from the seasonal point of view, this state of affairs should not exist? What is his Department going to do about it?
§ Mr. GunterThe mid-summer figures for June, 1962, were just about the same. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would have taken some comfort from the figures I have quoted.