Mr. M. K. MacMillanasked the Minister of Labour what are the numbers and the total percentage of unemployed in the Stornoway Exchange area and in each of the other outer islands; what are the numbers working on short time; to what extent the situation and figures are improving; and what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to provide employment in this area.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodOn 17th March. 1958. 1,911 people were registered as unemployed at the Stornoway Employment Exchange representing 37–7 per cent. 207W of the estimated number of insured employees. The numbers in the other outer islands were as follows:—
North Uist 99 South Uist 138 Barra 156 Benbecula 52 Complete figures of short-time working are not available for local areas, but the above figures include 200 people in Stornoway and six in the other islands who were temporarily laid off from work on 17th March. Unemployment has been increasing in the islands since the beginning of the year, but reports suggest that in the past two weeks there has been some decrease on the smaller islands as temporary constructional work and holiday jobs have become available. I am in touch with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade about fostering local activities in the area.