HC Deb 14 November 1966 vol 736 cc11-2W
59. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Labour what evidence he has, particularly in respect of a firm whose name has been sent to him, of refusal by Birmingham employers to take on men made redundant at the British Motor Corporation factories.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Only a small minority of Birmingham firms have to our knowledge refused to engage these workers, and discussion with my employment officers often overcomes the difficulty. Certainly no such restriction has been imposed on vacancies notified to our Department by the firm my hon. Friend has in mind.

60. Mr. Chapman

asked the Minister of Labour how many employees made redundant by the British Motor Corporation in Birmingham have now been found employment by his Department; how many are known still to be unemployed; and what are the latest figures for total vacancies and unemployed, excluding those temporarily stopped, in Birmingham.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

In Birmingham, we have submitted 2,000 of the redundant workers to jobs and so far 359 have been placed. Approximately 2,100 are known to be unemployed. On 5th October there were 9,878 vacancies in Birmingham and on 10th October there were 6,403 persons registered as unemployed, excluding those temporarily stopped.