§ Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many redundancies have been announced in the Nailsworth-Stroud-Stone-house area to take effect within the next six months; how many new opportunities for employment she expects within the same area during that time, and in what categories; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerApproximately 300 redundancies have been notified as due to take place in the next six months. At present there are 547 notified vacancies (124 for men, 136 for boys, 133 for women and 154 for girls). We know of about 50 new jobs due to arise in leather goods manufacture, fibreglass moulding and stationery manufacture and a substantial expansion in a local engineering works is expected to begin this year. These figures can only be taken as a general indication of job opportunities and we are hopeful that few of the redundant workers will have serious difficulty in finding other employment. Our employment staff will do all they can to help.