Mr. Bittenasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what is the estimated percentage increase in rates and earnings arising from the claim of boilermakers employed by the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders; what element of productivity is involved; if the claim is consistent with the Government's incomes policy; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerNegotiations are continuing between the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders, Limited and the Amalgamated Society of Boilermakers, Shipwrights, Blacksmiths and Structural Workers, and until a final settlement is reached it is not possible to estimate the effects on rates and earnings. The Gov-
TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND PERCENTAGE RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE AREAS COVERED BY THE PENZANCE AND HELSTON EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES Total registered unemployed Percentage rate Penzance Helston Penzance* Helston October, 1961 … … … 534 199 6.2 5.2 October, 1962 … … … 523 220 5.5 5.0 October, 1963 … … … 604 211 6.9 4.8 October, 1964 … … … 493 213 5.4 5.0 October, 1965 … … … 543 231 5.7 5.7 October, 1966 … … … 568 351 5.9 8.4 October, 1967 … … … 553 354 6.4 9.1 October, 1968 … … … 624 388 7.1 10.0 * For October, 1967 and earlier dates, the percentage rates relate to the Penzance, St. Ives and St. Mary's travel-to-work area. In a recent review, St. Mary's was excluded from the travel-to-work area. The October, 1968 rate has been calculated on this revised basis and is thus not strictly comparable with the earlier figures. Calculated on the former basis, the rate for October, 1968 would be 7.0 per cent.