HC Deb 07 February 1940 vol 357 cc226-7W
Mr. Boothby

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the serious volume of unemployment in the town of Peterhead; and whether he is taking any steps to deal with this problem?

Mr. E. Brown

I have been asked to reply. There was an increase in unemployment at Peterhead during September last as compared with the previous month due to the close of the summer herring fishing and the outbreak of war. Since September, however, there has been a substantial improvement in the position, and the figures for 11th December, 1939, which are the latest available, show that 1,031 men and 384 women workers were unemployed, as compared with 1,579 men and 428 women at the corresponding date in 1938. Every effort is being made to find employment for all persons registered as unemployed.