HC Deb 28 February 1962 vol 654 cc139-40W
35. Mr. A. Lewis

asked the Minister of Labour why there has been a 34 per cent. increase in the number of registered unemployed between 1951 and 1961.

Mr. Hare

Between 1951 and 1961 there has been a rise of nearly 2 million in the total number of those in employment. The average rate of unemploy- ment in 1961 was 1.5 per cent., compared with 1.2 per cent. in 1951, when there were severe labour shortages.