§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the average percentage rate of wholly unemployed in the Gateshead and Felling Employment Exchange area for the last 12 months.
§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of unemployed in the Gateshead and Felling Employment Exchange area at February, 1952, as compared with February, 1963; what percentage increase this represents of the 1952 figure; and what factors have brought about this increase.
§ Mr. Hare2,243 compared with 4,318 an increase of 92.5 per cent. Much of the difference is due to the effects of the recent severe weather on the construction industry; the rest reflects the lower level of activity in industry generally.