§ 91. Mr. Haleasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, of the increase in unemployment over the last 12 months, 25 per cent. has occurred in the north-western area; and what steps he proposes to take to ameliorate this situation.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodYes. Two-fifths of this increase is accounted for by workers, mainly in the cotton industry, who were temporarily stopped on the day of the count. The proportionate increase in wholly unemployed is less than for the country as a whole. My local officers are making every effort to find alternative employment for those that need it.