§ 8. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the most recently published figures show an increase in March over October of 28,500 males and 26,500 females who have been wholly unemployed for a period in excess of eight weeks; and, in view of the gravity of this problem, what steps he now proposes to take.
§ Sir W. MoncktonYes, but these figures are subject to seasonal influences and the total number of persons in this category is lower than for any corresponding period since the war, apart from March, 1951. The May figures show some slight improvement and the employment exchanges will continue to do their best to place these persons in suitable employment.
§ 9 and 10. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour (1) whether he will now state the number of persons wholly and temporarily unemployed in the Oldham employment area to the most recent convenient date, computed by the normal method of computation on the basis of a Monday and on the basis of a survey for a full week, respectively;
(2) whether he will now state the number of persons wholly and temporarily unemployed in the north-western employment area of England to the most recent convenient date, computed by the normal method of computation on the basis of a Monday and on the basis of the survey for a full week, respectively.
§ Sir W. MoncktonAt 12th May the figures for the North-Western Region were 59,464 wholly unemployed and 91,195 temporarily stopped, and the corresponding figures for Oldham were 1,355 and 10,619. With regard to the second parts of the Questions, I would refer the hon. Member to my letter to him of 6th May on this matter.