§ 48. Mr. LI. Williamsasked the Minister of Labour if he will state the percentages of insured workers registered as unemployed in the employment exchanges of north-west Monmouthshire, including Brynmawr, at the most recent available date, and in the years 1950, 1955 and 1960, respectively; and if he will make a statement on future prospects.
§ Mr. WhitelawIn the Abertillery, Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale, Newbridge and Tredegar travel-to-work area, the percentage was 5.7 on 14th January, 1963, 7.4 per cent. on 16th January, 1950, 3.4 per cent. on 10th January, 1955, and 4.2 per cent. on 11th January, 1960.
I am not aware of any significant forthcoming redundancies in the area which we hope will benefit from the Chancellor's recent measures aimed at stimulating the economy generally. The improvement in the Reads of the Valley Road will also make access easier from the north and east and improve prospects of attracting industry to the area.