§ 76. Mr. I for Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will restore the Ystalyfera and Pontardawe exchanges from the stop list to the full benefits of development districts under the Local Employment Act, in view of the persistent unemployment amongst disabled persons and the older age groups, and the recent further re dundancies created at the Perry Engineering Works.
§ Mr. du CannI am aware of the difficulties in the Ystalyfera/Pontardawe area. But the rate of unemployment for the past three months has been appreciably lower than during the corresponding period last year. In December the percentage wholly unemployed was 3.5 compared with 4.7 in December, 1962. In the circumstances I do not think that it would be justifiable to renew acceptance of applications for assistance under the Local Employment Acts.