§ 10. Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest numbers and percentage rates of unemployed adults and young people, respectively, in the Mexborough employment exchange areas.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAt 12 February, there were 3,746 unemployed people registered in the Mexborough employment office area. The unemployment rate for the Mexborough and Goldthorpe travel-to-work area was 18.1 per cent. Separate rates are not available for adults and young people.
§ Mr. WainwrightDoes the hon. Gentleman agree that such deplorable and disgraceful figures will create deep despair in the hearts and minds of the unemployed people in the Mexborough area? As the Minister's Department is unable to provide jobs, will he hold urgent consultations with the Department of Industry to ensure that improved job methods are adopted in the Dearne Valley area? Will he also use his influence with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry to try to make certain that the Japanese motor car industry comes into South Yorkshire?
§ Mr. MorrisonOn the latter point, the hon. Gentleman is rather at variance with his right hon. Friend the Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Varley), the Opposition spokesman on industry. Of course I am just as concerned as the hon. Gentleman is—and I know how concerned he is—about his constituents. The truth is that we are helping about 1,300 people through special employment measures in the 737 area, and I know that the Denaby Lane site is being developed. We hope that that will soon bring more jobs to the hon. Gentleman's constituency.