§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will take steps to assist those workers in Stoke-on-Trent who have lost their jobs in the last year to find alternative employment;
(2) how many firms have closed down in the last year in Stoke-on-Trent; and what was the comparable figure for the preceding year.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women are working short time in Stoke-on-Trent; and in which industries.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI regret that the information is not available. Statistics on short-time working are available only for Great Britain and the standard regions.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men and women are now unemployed in Stoke-on-Trent ; and what are the comparable figures for one year ago.
§ Mr. Jim LesterAt 8 May 1980 there were 5,128 males and 2,133 females registered as unemployed in Stoke-on-Trent, compared with 4,190 males and 1,351 females at 10 May 1979. The figures relate to the area covered by the Stoke-on-Trent, Burslem, Hanley and Longton employment offices.