§ Mr. Pentlandasked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the number of unemployed men, women and young people in the County of Durham in September last as compared with the same figures for the previous year; what
NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ON THE REGISTERS OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OFFICES IN THE COUNTY OF DURHAM AT 15TH SEPTEMBER, 1958 AND 14TH SEPTEMBER, 1959 — Men aged 18 and over Boys under 18 Women aged 18 and over Girls under 18 Total 15th September, 1958 … 11,965 900 4,301 540 17,706 14th September, 1959 … 14,954 1,631 5,186 725 22,496 Increase (+) or decrease (-) … +2,989 + 731 + 885 +185 +4,790 The percentage increase between September, 1958 and September, 1959, was 27.1.
The total of 22,496 persons registered as unemployed at 14th September, 1959, represented 3.8 per cent. of the estimated total number of employees in the area.
The numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled at the same offices at 10th September, 1958 and 9th September, 1959, were:
— Men Boys Women Girls Total 10th September, 1958 … … 1,273 303 464 512 2,552 9th September, 1959 … … 1,295 277 665 655 2,892 This increase in unemployment at a time when the national figures have fallen causes me considerable concern Most of it has occurred on Wearside and South-East Tyneside where the main factors causing the increase have been difficulties in shipbuilding and repairing due to the falling off in world trade.
10W
§ Mr. P. ThomasThe following table gives the information desired:
increase is shown; what this represents as a percentage, and as a percentage of the total working population; how this compares with the number of unfilled vacancies for the same period; and if he will make a statement.