§ 69. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the effect which the spread of myxomatosis has had up to date on rural employment; how many rabbit-trappers and gamekeepers have become redundant; and to what extent alternative employment has been available for these men.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am not aware of any increase of unemployment in the rural
Date Males Females Total 11th January, 1954 … … … 19,508 9,366 28,874 15th February, 1954 … … … 20,128 9,455 29,583 15th March, 1954 … … … 19,045 9,272 28,317 12th April, 1954 … … … 17,069 9,128 26,197 10th May, 1954 … … … 16,226 8,715 24,941 14th June 1954 … … … 14,636 7,721 22,357 12th July, 1954 … … … 14,555 7,583 22,138 9th August, 1954 … … … 15,724 7,829 23,553 13th September, 1954 … … … 15,265 7,305 22,570 11th October, 1954 … … … 15,581 7,497 23,078 15th November, 1954 … … … 16,231 7,401 23,632 6th December, 1954 … … … 16,002 7,175 23,177 10th January, 1955 … … … 18,780 7,831 26,611 The tabulation of the figures for individual industries for each month would involve more work than can at present be undertaken, but the figures for the principal industries for the beginning and end of the period are given below:—
240W
Industry 11th January, 1954 10th January, 1955 Males Females Total Males Females Total Building and Civil Engineering Contracting 3,486 37 3,523 3,574 22 3,596 Distributive Trades 1,491 1,505 2,996 1,484 1,327 2,811 Non-Electrical Engineering 1,216 257 1,473 1,091 306 1,397 Catering, Hotels etc 623 1,028 1,651 608 739 1,347 Local Government Service 1,119 154 1,273 1,141 135 1,276 Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing 1,016 66 1,082 949 45 994 Professional Services 460 476 936 423 418 841 Iron and Steel Melting, Rolling, etc. 853 25 878 817 22 839 Bread and Flour Confectionery 280 357 637 287 320 607 Iron and Steel Tubes 307 7 314 493 5 498 Tailoring 131 442 573 101 346 447 Railways 410 18 428 420 16 436 Sea Transport 517 5 522 424 12 436 Tramway and Omnibus Service 174 239 413 162 207 369 Agriculture and Horticulture 246 104 350 254 105 359 National Government Service 267 117 384 262 93 355 Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Rivets, Nails, etc. 220 227 447 73 54 127 Other Industries and Services 6,692 4,302 10,994 6,217 3,659 9,876 TOTAL—All Industries and Services 19,508 9,366 28,874 18,780 7,831 26,611 districts owing to the spread of myxomatosis, but I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.