HC Deb 14 March 1940 vol 358 cc1388-9W
Sir W. Jenkins

asked the Minister of Labour what number of unemployed people were registered at Pontardawe and Ystalyfera in June, September, December, 1939, and January and February, 1940, giving tin workers, steel workers, miners and other trades separately; what steps are being taken to find employment for these skilled workers; is he considering any new plans for the future of this area; if so, what action is he taking?

Mr. E. Brown

As the reply to the first part of the Question contains a considerable number of figures, I append a statement. As to the second part of the Question, the hon. Member may be assured that every effort will be made to find alternative employment for the workers at present unemployed.

Following is the statement

The table below shows, for one date in June, September and December, 1939, and February, 1940 (a) the numbers of unemployed persons, aged 14 and over, insured and uninsured, on the registers of the Pontardawe and Ystalyfera Employment Exchanges, and (b) the numbers of

(a) Numbers on the Registers.
— 12th June, 1939. 11th Sept., 1939. 11th Dec., 1939. 15th Jan., 1940. 12th Feb., 1940.
Unemployed persons, aged 14 and over, insured and uninsured, on the registers.
Pontardawe … … … … 212 287 487 691 785
Ystalyfera … … … … 974 1,003 1,191 1,055 1,863

(b) Insured persons, aged 16–64, recorded as unemployed.
— 12th June, 1939. 11th Sept., 1939. 11th Dec., 1939. 15th Jan., 1940. 12th Feb., 1940.
Pontardawe:
Tinplate Manufacture … … 38 77 114 134 142
Steel Melting and Iron Puddling, etc. … … 11 45 172 341 423
Coal Mining … … … … 13 7 21 8 16
All other industries and services … 143 161 173 203 199
Total … … 205 290 480 686 780
Ystalyfera:
Tinplate Manufacture … … 113 225 240 193 678
Steel Melting and Iron Puddling, etc. … … — 5 7 9 6
Coal Mining … … … … 451 339 453 384 704
All other industries and services … 344 366 411 396 406
Total … … 908 935 1,111 982 1,794
The figures shown in the second part of the table include both skilled and unskilled workers in the industries in question, and also ancillary workers, such as clerks, carters, cleaners, labourers, etc.