§ Mr. Brooksasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the average monthly rate of unemployment in the area of the Birkenhead, Bebington and Wallasey employment exchanges between 1960 and 1970; and what were the average summer and winter rates, respectively, for the periods before and after October, 1964.
§ Mr. Dell:Percentage rates of unemployment are available collectively for the area covered by the Birkenhead, Bebington and Wallasey Employment Exchanges until June, 1968. From July, 1968, rates are available only for the whole of the Liverpool travel-to-work area which in addition to Birkenhead, Bebington and Wallasey also includes the Liverpool, Bootle, Crosby, Ellesmere Port, Garston, Hoylake, Kirkby, Neston, Old Swan, Prescot, Regent Road and Walton Employment Exchange areas. The average percentage rate of unemployment from January, 1960, to June, 1968, in the area covered by the Birkenhead, Bebington and Wallasey Employment Exchanges was 3.8. Comparable figures for January, 1960, to October, 1964, and November, 1964, to June, 1968, were 4.7 and 2.9 respectively. Percentage rates of unemployment in the Liverpool travel- 592W to-work area at January, 1960, October, 1964, June, 1968, and December, 1969, were 4.4, 3.5, 3.4 and 4.0 respectively.