Hollow-ware Industry

HC Deb 04 February 1959 vol 599 cc76-7W

141. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the labour in the United Kingdom enamel industry, which at one time stood at more than 10,000 workers, has been reduced to under 5,000; and whether he will make a statement on prospects of employment for workers engaged in this industry.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Statistics obtained by my Department do not differentiate between the enamel industry and the hollow-ware industry as a whole. Employment in the hollow-ware industry in Great Britain increased by 1,500 between August and November, 1958. 1,269 were unemployed on 8th December, the latest date for which I have information, which represents 2.2 per cent. Prospects of employment in the industry will depend on the demand for goods of this kind and on the ability of the industry to remain competitive.

NUMBERS OF MEN, WOMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED IN WEST FIFE AT THE UNDERMENTIONED DATES
Date	Men	Women	Boys	Girls	Total
6th December, 1954	…	…	385	771	12	25	1,193
12th December, 1955	…	…	361	827	7	27	1,222
10th December, 1956	…	…	351	1,050	9	50	1,460
9th December, 1957	…	…	514	1,249	32	70	1,865
8th December, 1958	…	…	929	1,737	122	114	2,902

143. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the amount of unemployment in the Dunfermline area is the highest since the end of the war, and that most of the juveniles in the West Fife area are finding it increasingly difficult to secure employment; and whether he will convene an emergency conference in the area between his officials and the local authorities in order that some solution to the problem might be found.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am aware of the position in the areas to which the hon. Member refers. My local officers are.

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED MEN AND WOMEN ON THE REGISTERS OF THE BRIDGEND, MAESTEG, OGMORE VALE, PONTYCYMMER AND CYMMER EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AT THE UNDERMENTIONED DATES
Employment Exchange	16th May, 1955	12th January, 1959
	Men	Women	Men	Women
Bridgend	…	…	…	30	39	166	110
Maesteg	…	…	…	17	62	185	100
Ogmore Vale	…	…	…	20	35	28	58
Pontycymmer	…	…	…	15	19	51	46
Cymmer	…	…	…	12	30	71	35

145. Mr. Padley

asked the Minister of Labour how many boys and girls were registered as unemployed in January in the Bridgend, Maesteg, Pontycymmer, and Ogmore Vale areas; and what was the comparable figure in May 1955.

Mr. Wood

As I explained in my reply of 17th December, separate figures are not available for Maesteg, Pontycymmer and Ogmore Vale. A total of 83 boys.