§ 8. Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been made redundant in the Northern Region since June, 1964.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithRecords of the number of redundancies in all industries including those in the construction and shipbuilding industries for the Northern Region were not kept before 1969.
During the two years 1st January, 1967, to 31st December, 1968, there were 35,200 recorded redundancies in industries other than construction and shipbuilding in the Northern Region. From 1st January, 1969, to 31st October, 1971, the number recorded as due to become redundant in all industries and services was 44,200.
§ Mr. LeadbitterIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the number of redundancies since the Government came to office constitutes a disgraceful achievement of Government policies? In my constituency, 12½ per cent. of the men have become unemployed since 1964, and for every 70 out of work there is one vacancy. Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that his miserable Government and the policies they have imposed upon the regions have been disastrous?
§ Mr. SmithAs he studies the figures, the hon. Gentleman will see that the regions had a large number of redundancies under his Administration. The last Government bear a large share of the responsibility for the present high rate of unemployment, and it is hypocritical of Labour hon. Members to pretend otherwise. Instead of arguing about who is responsible, we are trying to cure the situation.