§ Mr. Galbraithasked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage increase in the cost of living since 15th October, 9W 1964; and what proportion of this he estimates is accounted for by increases in taxation.
§ Mr. GunterBetween 13th October, 1964, and 18th October, 1966, the Index of Retail Prices rose by nearly 9 per cent. It is estimated that changes in rates of Customs and Excise duties, Purchase Tax and motor vehicle licences accounted for about one-quarter of this rise.
TOTAL NUMBERS REGISTERED AS UNEMPLOYED AND RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT AT DALKEITH AND LOANHEAD EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES Men Boys Women Girls Total Temporarily Stopped included in Total Percentage rate 14th November, 1966 Dalkeith … 162 6 48 9 225 4 1.6* Loanhead … 139 8 65 7 219 2 13th June, 1966 Dalkeith … 112 10 62 5 189 2 1.2* Loanhead … 101 5 81 4 191 — * Percentage rates can be given only for the whole of the Edinburgh "travel to work" group which comprises Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Leith, Loanhead and Portobello.
§ Mr. Eadieasked the Minister of Labour how many adults are now unemployed in each employment exchange area in the County of Midlothian as a consequence of the Bathgate British Motor Corporation redundancies; and how many are on short-time at each exchange.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsOn Monday, 14th November the numbers were as follows:
Wholly Unemployed Temporarily Stopped West Calder 44 11 East Calder 7 1 Loanhead 2 — Edinburgh 2 — Leith 2 — Portobello — — Dalkeith — —