§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the number of unemployed at the Lincoln Employment Exchange nearly doubled last month; and whether he will make a statement on his plans for finding alternative work for them.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe apparent increase to which the hon. Member draws attention is due to the fact that the day of the April count was a day of employment for about 700 short-time workers. On the day of the May count, they were unemployed. There was no substantial change in the total volume of short-time working between April and May. The number of persons wholly unemployed fell slightly and continues to represent a percentage rate below the national average. Both the wholly unemployed and those temporarily stopped workers who wish to be considered for other employment are being given every assistance by the employment exchange.