HC Deb 29 May 1970 vol 801 cc592-4W
Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will now indicate the number of persons employed in ship-building on Merseyside, the number of shipbuilding workers registered as unemployed, and her forecast of the approximate number of persons likely to be employed in shipbuilding within the development area during the remainder of 1970.

Mr. Dell:

At June, 1968, the latest date for which information is available there were 17,200 employees in employment in shipbuilding and ship-repairing (minimum list heading 370.1 of the Standard Industrial Classification) in the Merseyside development area. A corresponding estimate for June 1969 should become available within the next few weeks. At 13th April, 1970, the number of persons registered as unemployed in this area who last worked in shipbuilding and ship-repairing was 1,113. The Government have shown their concern to maintain employment in shipbuilding by the assistance they have provided for Cammell Lairds.

Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity whether she will give details of the present unemployment situation in the Merseyside travel-to-work area, specifying in particular the major skills and trades affected, the duration of unemployment, the extent of frictional unemployment, and the age structure of the unemployed; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Dell:

Following is the information, showing in each case the latest available statistics for the Merseyside development area:

OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBERS OF MEN AND WOMEN REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED IN THE MERSEYSIDE DEVELOPMENT AREA AT 9TH MARCH, 1970
Men
Farmworkers, fishermen etc 65
Electrical and electronic workers 310
Engineering and allied trades workers 1,786
Woodworkers 634
Clothing, etc. workers 73
Food, drink and tobacco workers 70
Construction workers 1,157
Painters and decorators 736
Drivers, etc. of stationary engines, cranes, etc. 304
Transport and communication workers 1,728
Warehousemen, packers, etc. 174
Clerical workers 1,608
Shop assistants 320
Service, sport and recreation workers 910
Administrative, professional, technical workers 792
Labourers 15,376
Others 166
Grand Total 26,209

Women
Engineering and allied trades workers 76
Clothing, etc. workers 92
Food, drink and tobacco workers 34
Paper and printing workers 33
Transport and communication workers 121
Warehouse workers, packers, etc. 245
Clerical workers 807
Shop assistants 350
Service, sport and recreation workers 441
Administrative, professional, technical workers 150
Factory hands 511
Charwomen, cleaners 139
Others 179
Grand Total 3,178

DURATION ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBERS REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED IN THE MERSEYSIDE DEVELOPMENT AREA AT 13TH APRIL, 1970
Males Females Total
Up to 8 weeks 10,799 2,496 13,295
Over 8 and up to13 weeks 3,639 552 4,191
Over 13 and up to26 weeks 4,839 509 5,348
Over 26 and up to52 weeks 4,275 310 4,585
Over 52 weeks 4,525 239 4,764

AGE ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBERS REGISTERED AS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED IN THE MERSEYSIDE DEVELOPMENT AREA AT 12TH JANUARY, 1970
Males Female Total
Under 18 1,281 603 1,884
18–19 2,054 611 2,665
20–24 4,485 831 5,316
25–29 3,302 303 3,605
30–34 3,013 171 3,184
35–39 2,708 144 2,852
40–44 2,360 163 2,523
45–49 2,087 224 2,311
50–54 1,530 226 1,756
55–59 1,579 284 1,863
60–64 2,980 18 3,112
65 and over 114
Total, all ages 27,493 3,578 31.071

I am well aware of the level and nature of unemployment on Merseyside and I have every confidence that the Government's regional policies will continue to provide a substantial number of new job opportunities