§ 63. Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of concern regarding the figures of vacancies filled in the four weeks ended 5th June, 1963, and of vacancies unfilled on 5th June, 1963, in the northern region, in view of the high figures of unemployment; why the monthly figure of unfilled vacancy changes revealed a decrease instead of the normal monthly seasonal increase; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HareThe number of vacancies filled during this period averaged 2,034 a week against an average of 2,110 in the previous five weeks. This was due to the placing of 3,222 young people, including Easter school leavers during the earlier period compared with 1,660 during the latter. The number of vacancies unfilled on 5th June was slightly less than a month earlier instead of showing a seasonal rise and this was largely due to a reduction in the number of coal mining vacancies.
The steady fall in unemployment in recent months shows that the northern region is sharing in the general revival of activity, though we all want to see a further improvement.