§ Mr. Cleggasked the Minister of Labour if he will give the percentage unemployment figures in development areas.
§ Mr. FernyhoughOn 9th January, 1967, percentage rates of unemployment in development areas were:—
Development Area Per cent. South Western 6.1 Merseyside 3.3 Northern 3.9 Scottish 4.3 Welsh 4.8
§ Dr. David Owenasked the Minister of Labour what evidence he has on the extent of short-time working and redundancies occurring in firms with branches in development areas compared with their branches located outside the development areas; and where this information is not available, whether studies are being undertaken with a view to obtaining it.
§ Mr. HattersleyComprehensive information is not available and its collection would involve a considerable amount of work which could not be justified in present circumstances. The available evidence suggests, however, that recent redundancies have not been concentrated in the development areas but have been spread fairly evenly over the country.