HC Deb 13 May 1968 vol 764 cc849-50
25. Mr. George Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she is aware that unemployment figures for Yorkshire and Humberside are worsening while the national figure is declining; and what action she is taking to recognise it as a development area attracting the appropriate benefits now limited to such areas.

Mr. Fernyhough

I am aware that the rate of unemployment in the Yorkshire and Humberside region has remained unchanged at 2.6 per cent. since January, 1968, while the rate for Great Britain has fallen from 2.7 per cent. in January to 2.5 per cent. in March and April. My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is responsible for the designation of development areas.

Mr. Jeger

Is my hon. Friend aware that areas such as those mentioned in the Question are submitting evidence to the Hunt Committee but that a subcommittee of the Hunt Committee while visiting Yorkshire is not visiting Thorne, which has an unemployment rate of over 10 per cent.? Will he communicate with the Hunt Committee and ensure that attention is paid to what is the worst unemployment area in the district?

Mr. Fernyhough

I will certainly see that my hon. Friend's observations are brought to the notice of the Committee.

Mr. James Johnson

Would my hon. Friend confirm that the figures for Hull follow the same pattern as those for Goole, particularly in the building and construction industries? Would he be shocked to know that I have constituents who are electricians and who are having to find work in Norway?

Mr. Fernyhough

No. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I would not be shocked, but I hope that we will be able to remedy the position. [interruption.] I would not be shocked because I appreciate, from the experience in my constituency, that specialists travel all over the world. Indeed, we have American electricians working here because of their special skills. Unemployment has dropped a little and, more important, vacancies have gone up by over 2,000 in the last month. I hope that this development will continue.

Sir C. Osborne

Will the Minister bear in mind that while we are sorry that the Yorkshire and North Humberside area has growing unemployment, we in Lincolnshire, on the southern side of the Humber, are doing very well because our people are working hard and are not subject to strikes?