§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour to what extent the difference in the February, 1952, figure of unemployment in the Gateshead and Felling employment exchange area and the February, 1963, figure is due to the effects of the recent severe weather on the construction industry.
§ Mr. HareI estimate that about half the increase in unemployment between these dates was among workers last employed in the construction industry. On 11th February, 1963, such workers numbered 1,548 out of a total of 4,318 unemployed; this was 876 more than in December, 1962, and a large part of the increase is attributable to the severe weather.