§ Mr. Geraint Howellsasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently unemployed in Ceredigion; what were the corresponding figures for 1973, 1974 and 1975; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingAt April 1976, the latest date for which figures are available, 1,712 persons were registered as unemployed in the area covered by the Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Lampeter and Llandyssal employment offices, which covers a slightly larger area than Ceredigion. The corresponding figures for April 1973, April 1974, and April 1975 were 736,773 and 1,147, respectively.
The incidence of unemployment varies widely within this area but it is still too high. Ceredigion stands to benefit from the Government's manpower measures, but as with other areas the prospects for the future, depend in very large measure on an upturn in the economy generally.
350W