§ 2. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the number of persons currently unemployed in the Rotherham, Dinnington and Maltby employment exchange areas; and what is the percentage increase these figures represent as compared with the position one year ago.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithAt June, 1971, the provisional number of people registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Rotherham, Dinnington and Maltby Employment Exchanges was 3,544. This was a rate of 5.2 per cent. as compared with 41 per cent. in June, 1970.
§ Mr. HardyIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, while the present situation is disgraceful enough, the trends show that 555 we are likely to face a very severe increase in a very short time? Is he further aware that the only major hope for improvement in my area rests in the already long-delayed Government decision? The delay in that decision is already such as to generate further gloom and despondency in my constituency.
§ Mr. SmithWe know that there is a particular problem in the hon. Gentleman's area; and the figures are certainly too high. But, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said as recently as Monday in the debate on unemployment, the Government are absolutely determined to reverse the upward trend in unemployment.
§ Mrs. CastleWhen?