§ 13. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what are the latest unemployment figures for the South-West ; when 1164 they were last at the same level ; and what action she now proposes to take to help employment in the region.
§ Mr. DellAt 13th October, 1969, there were 37,200 persons registered as unemployed in the South-Western Region and the percentage rate of unemployment was 2.8. This rate was last reached in March, 1969, when 38,000 persons were on the registers. My local officers are continuing their efforts to help the unemployed to find suitable work, including the offer of opportunities for training where appropriate. The Government are applying a wide range of measures to stimulate the growth of employment in the South-Western development area and are extending several of these incentives to the Plymouth intermediate area.
§ Mr. DigbyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it is widely reported that there is a steady deterioration in the employment situation in the South-West? Will he concentrate a little more on that area and a little less on some of the other parts of the country before the situation gets worse?
§ Mr. DellWe have created an intermediate area at Plymouth. We have taken action to increase training opportunities. A considerable number of jobs are in prospect. One point which the hon. Gentleman should bear in mind is that, in that area, in common with many other areas, the number of unfilled vacancies is rising and the contrast between the unemployment figures and the rising number of unfilled vacancies is something we are studying.