Mr. Allan Lee Williamsasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the current employment situation in the Port of London amongst registered dock workers; and whether the numbers of those unemployed reflect more than seasonal variations.
§ Mr. GunterThe daily average of registered dock workers in the Port of London proving attendance, for whom no work was available, over the four weeks ending 26th November was 2,472 representing 10.2 per cent. of the average total register. Yesterday morning the number was down to 1,257. Although the percentage for November was above the average for similar periods of the past ten years, higher figures were recorded in 1958, 1961 and 1962. The figure tends to be higher at this time of year, but there is no clear seasonal variation.