§ 62. Mr. McCannasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that unemployment figures in Rochdale are now three times the national average; and what consideration he is giving to using the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act to assist the town to overcome these difficulties which are caused by the recession in the textile industry.
§ Mr. J. RodgersNo. I am glad to say that the latest available figures do not confirm that Rochdale's unemployment figures are now three times the national average and, indeed, the rate for wholly unemployed for Rochdale is below the national average. My right hon. Friend would, therefore, not be justified in taking the special step which the hon. Member proposes.