HC Deb 09 December 1968 vol 775 cc24-5W
Dr. Broughton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what are the numbers of unemployed in Batley and Morley, respectively; and how these figures compare with those of 12 months ago.

Mr. Fernyhough

At 11 th November, 1968 the total numbers registered as unemployed in the areas covered by the Batley and Morley Employment Exchanges were 379 and 198, respectively. The corresponding figures for 13th November, 1967 were 347 and 302.

Dr. Broughton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what percentage of the working population in Batley and Morley, respectively, is unemployed; and how these figures compare with the national average.

Mr. Fernyhough

Up to June, 1968 separate percentage rates of unemployment were calculated for Batley and Morley. From July, 1968, however, following a review of travel-to-work areas, Batley was combined with Dews-bury and Spen Valley to form the Dewsbury travel-to-work area and Morley was combined with Leeds, Horsforth, Rothwell, Seacroft and Stanninglsy to form the Leeds travel-to-work area. From that date, percentage rates can be calculated for each of these travel-to-work areas as a whole, but not separately for the constituent parts.

At 11th November, 1968 the rates for the Dewsbury and for the Leeds travel-to-work areas and for Great Britain were 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4, respectively.