Captain BENNasked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of unemployed in the port of Leith; and what number are unemployed in consequence of the engineering and shipyard disputes?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe total number of persons registered as unemployed at the Leith Exchange at 3rd April was 5,126, as compared with 5,162 at 6th March. The numbers registered as unemployed in engineering and shipbuilding have shown little change in the last five weeks, remaining at about 700 and 1,500 respectively. There are also about 250 engineers and 400 shipbuilders out of employment who are not included in these figures as they are not eligible for unemployment benefit.