HC Deb 19 December 1966 vol 738 c207W
Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the rise between May and November of 68,468 and 47,587 in wholly unemployed who were previously employed in the service and manufacturing industries, respectively, is accounted for by seasonal factors.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

For purposes of seasonal adjustment, registered unemployed persons aged 18 years and over who are not classified to any particular industry because they have not been in employment in this country for a prolonged period are grouped with those previously employed in service industries other than distributive trades and transport and communications. The estimated changes during the period attributed to normal seasonal factors are a decrease of about 3,000 among those previously employed in manufacturing industries and an increase of about 20,000 (out of an actual increase of 74,683) among those previously employed in service industries and those with no recent employment.

Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Minister of Labour what estimate he has made of the extent to which unemployment in Bridport is reduced by workers travelling daily considerable distances to their work.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The Bridport Employment Exchange area is largely self-contained for employment purposes, and travel to work in and out of the area has little effect on the general level of local unemployment.