§ 65. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will arrange for an immediate special investigation of the causes of the continued rise in unemployment in South Shields with the object of proposing both short- and longer-term action to cure the present position.
§ Mr. FernyhoughNo. I am aware of the reasons for the continuing high level of unemployment. South Shields is eligible for the full range of assistance under the Government's general measures for the Development Areas.
In addition, since my hon. Friend raised the matter on the Adjournment on 14th October he will know of the Government announcement to allocate £4 million to create additional employment this winter in the Northern Development Area, and Tyneside should benefit from this.
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§ 66. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity if she will give an estimate of the percentage of adult male insured persons unemployed in South Shields and on Tyneside, respectively, on the latest available date and 12 months previously.
§ Mr. FernyhoughPercentage rates of unemployment for local areas do not distinguish between men and boys and therefore can be calculated only for males. For Tyneside travel-to-work area, which includes South Shields, the provisional percentage rate on 11th November, 1968 was 5.1 and on 13th November, 1967 the rate was 4.5.