§ Mr. McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current level of unemployment in the Skelmersdale New Town among men, boys and women; how this compares with the average on Merseyside, South-West Lancashire and nationally; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithAt 8th February, 1971, there were 657 people (486 men, 27 boys, 123 women and 21 girls) registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Skelmersdale Employment Exchange. Rates of unemployment can be calculated in total and for males and females. Levels of unemployment cannot be compared in all cases for the exact areas specified but the following table shows the information available:
PERCENTAGE RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT AT 8TH FEBRUARY, 1971 Males Females Total Ormskirk and Skelmersdale 5.9 2.5 4.7 Merseyside* 7.0 1.8 5.3 South Lancashire* 3.9 1.2 3.2 Great Britain 4.2 1.4 3.1 * Sub-divisions of the North Western region.
§ Mr. McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT what percentage of the working population in the Skelmersdale New Town is engaged in skilled engineering work, other skilled work, semi-skilled engineering work, other semi-skilled work, unskilled work and clerical work; how this compares with other new towns in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI regret that the information is not available. If the hon. Member has in mind the occupational balance of employment in the area, I cannot add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 8th March.—[Vol. 813, c.14.]