§ Mr. Randallasked the Minister of Labour (1) what difficulties are being encountered by firms in the North-East who are unable to expand because of the shortage of a skilled labour force;
(2) if he will make a statement on the availability of a skilled labour force to meet the requirements of new firms coming into the north-east.
NUMBERS WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED, AND PERCENTAGES OF ALL EMPLOYEES WHO WERE WHOLLY UNEMPLOYED, IN DEVELOPMENT AREAS South Western Merseyside Northern Scottish Welsh Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent 8th August 1966 … 3,249 2.4 17,608 2.2 35,394 2.6 52,702 2.7 20,034 3.1 12th September 1966 … 3,976 3.0 19,202 2.4 34,662 2.5 54,284 2.8 21,350 3.3 10th October 1966 … 6,168 4.6 20,951 2.6 37,791 2.8 58,767 3.0 24,158 3.7 14th November 1966 … 7,616 5.7 22,164 2.7 43,122 3.1 66,379 3.4 26,853 4.1 12th December 1966 … 7,911 5.9 22,111 2.7 46,397 3.4 70,775 3.6 28,122 4.3 10th January 1967 … 8,065 6.0 25,115 3.1 51,696 3.8 80,226 4.1 29,974 4.6