§ 49. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs have resulted from the operation of the Local Employment Act in the Western Isles constituency in the last six months; what is the number of people, registered as unemployed, and available to employers seeking labour in the islands; and what is his estimate of the number of new jobs which will be created as a result of his further efforts to promote industrial activity in the area.
§ Mr. D. PriceDuring the last six months the Board of Trade has offered assistance to one project in the Stornoway Employment Exchange area, which covers the greater part of the hon. Member's constituency. I cannot give the number of jobs estimated to arise, since to do so would disclose details of an industrial business. At the December count there were 1,481 people wholly unemployed in the area. My right hon. Friend cannot estimate how many jobs are likely to arise from unknown future projects, but he will, of course, continue to encourage the introduction and expansion of projects to create employment.