§ 69 and 70. Mr. Moyleasked the Minister of Labour (1) if he is aware of the growing unemployment in the borough of Oldbury; and what steps he is taking to deal with the matter;
(2) what are the present numbers of unemployed in the boroughs of Oldbury and Halesowen, respectively; and how these figures compare with those for the similar period of 1951.
§ Sir W. MoncktonOn 16th February, 1953, 241 persons were registered as wholly unemployed at Oldbury and 226 as temporarily stopped, compared with 51 wholly unemployed and three temporarily stopped in February, 1951. At Halesowen the numbers were 87 wholly unemployed and 12 temporarily stopped in February, 1953, compared with 23 wholly unemployed and none temporarily stopped in February, 1951.
The rise in the wholly unemployed in Oldbury has been very gradual over the last two years, but the increase in registered short-time working only occurred last month. The area still enjoys a high level of employment and the Government's economic and financial policy is aimed at maintaining this position.