HC Deb 23 July 1964 vol 699 c135W
71. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Labour how many new industrial jobs have been created since 1961 in that part of the Bishop Auckland constituency which is not a development district; and how many jobs have been lost by closures of works.

Mr. Whitelaw

The only comprehensive figures showing changes in the numbers of jobs are based on comparisons of the number of employees in employment at the mid-year. Between mid-1961 and mid-1963 the estimated number of employees in employment in the areas of the Barnard Castle and Middleton in Teesdale Local Offices increased by 200. These figures relate to a wider area than that mentioned by the hon. Member but no more precise figures are available. Our local officers are not aware of the closure of any works in the area during the period in question.