HC Deb 27 May 1971 vol 818 cc562-3
11. Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will now take steps to find work for unemployed people in Leicester.

Mr. David Howell

My Department's local officers will continue to make every effort to help unemployed people in Leicester to find new jobs.

Mr. Janner

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, if the Dunlop Rubber Company carries out its expressed intention to close St. Mary's Mills in my constituency, more than 800 more men and women will come on to the labour market, many of whom are highly skilled rubber workers for whom no alternative employment will be available in the area at present? What steps do the Government propose to take to deal specifically with this worrying problem?

Mr. Howell

I am aware of the difficulties over the Dunlop Rubber Company redundancies, and I recognise the hon. Gentleman's concern. In Leicester the percentage of unemployment is substantially below the national average. My Department deploy a wide range of services, and we will do what we can.

Mr. Tom Boardman

Does my hon. Friend agree that the unemployment in Leicester is in part the direct result of industrial disputes in the motor car industry, on which it is dependent for the supply of components, and in part due to lack of investment because of high taxation in previous years?

Mr. Howell

These are certainly two reasons for the present situation.