HC Deb 31 October 1957 vol 575 cc104-5W
Mr. Gower

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement upon the situation arising from the closure of certain old-type tinplate works in western South Wales; and the steps being taken to find alternative employment for those affected.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Ten hand tinplate works are in process of closing or are expected to close. Although employment in the industry fell by just over 2,400 between January and the end of September this year, only 255 former tinplate workers were registered as wholly unemployed on 14th October. Since then, just over 700 impending discharges have been reported and there may be further redundancies at establishments supplying steel to the tinplate works. It is, however, not yet possible to say how many workers affected by the latest developments will register as unemployed. Total unemployment in the tinplate area of Western South Wales was just over 4,400—representing a percentage rate of 2.2—on 14th October. The increase of 800 since September is entirely due to an increase in those temporarily stopped, more than half of whom are tinplate

—— Exempt from Income Tax Not exempt from Income Tax
1. War Pensions Disablement pensions and allowances. Pensions for widows (except child's allowance and rent supplementation), parents and other dependents.
2. Pensions under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Acts. Disablement pensions and allowances. Pensions for widows, widowers, parents and other dependants.
3. Pensions under the National Insurance Acts. Retirement pensions, widow's pensions (including widowed mothers' allowances and widow's basic 10s. pensions), contributory old age pensions.
4. Pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1936. Non-contributory old age pensions.