HC Deb 25 February 1971 vol 812 cc837-8
17. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now publish separate employment figures for Coventry, Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The estimated numbers of insured employees in the Coventry, Nuneaton, and Bedworth employment exchanges areas at June, 1969, the latest date for which figures are available, are 190,906; 30,375; and 8,657 respectively.

Mr. Huckfield

Is the Minister aware that, particularly in these difficult times when the Government are striving hard to increase unemployment, the normal unemployed percentage in my constituency is not only higher than that of Coventry but is normally twice the West Midlands average? Will the Minister now give me some indication of the current percentages and levels of unemployment in Nuneaton and Bedworth differentiated from Coventry?

Mr. Smith

It was the policy of the previous Administration which set us on this course of high unemployment. However, I think that the hon. Gentleman

The following is the Table:

has got a point in that there may be a case for looking again at the question whether Nuneaton and Bedworth should be included in the Coventry travel-to-work area. At present we believe that it is the right policy, but with the 1971 census figures, which should be available fairly soon, we are prepared to look again at the question, and I will write to the hon. Gentleman.

18. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of persons living in Nuneaton and Bedworth but registered at Coventry employment exchanges.

Mr. Dudley Smith

I regret that this information is not readily available.

Mr. Huckfield

I am grateful to the Minister for giving his information to the previous questtion. Will he bear in mind in the inquiry which he is to undertake that there are serious complications in drawing unemployment benefits, particularly short-term unemployment benefits? Will the Minister take these important considerations into account in the inquiry?

Mr. Smith

Yes. I thought that the system was working fairly smoothly there, but I will look into the matter.