§ Mr. Oliverasked the Minister of Labour to give the reasons for the recent rise in adult unemployment to 8,668 in the North Midlands region; and to what extent it is due to lack of orders in industry and seasonal causes.
§ Sir W. MoncktonThe increase of 549 in the number of adults on the unemployed register in the North Midlands region between November and December, 1953, which brought the total number unemployed (including young persons) to 8,668, was almost entirely accounted for by a seasonal rise in the numbers unemployed in agriculture and in building and civil engineering. A further rise of 1,452 in adult unemployment in January, 1954, was also due to seasonal factors, affecting the clothing and textile industries, and the distributive trades, as well as those already mentioned.