§ 94. Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment which towns in Great Britain which have a population over 50,000 and are located within de velopment areas have current unemployment rates below the national average; and what are the current rates for each of these towns.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithPercentage rates of unemployment can be calculated in some cases for single employment exchange areas but in other cases only for travel-to-work areas, which comprise two or more employment exchange areas. At 9th November, 1970 the only employment exchange or travel-to-work area within the Development Areas which included a town with a population of more than 50,000 and had a rate of unemployment of less than 2.6 per cent. was Furness. The Furness travel-to-work area, which includes Barrow-in-Furness, had a rate of 2.3 per cent.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is aware that the official figures for unemployment in November, 1970 show the highest number for 30 years; how the figures for Wales compare with the rest of Great Britain; and what action he has taken or proposes to take to improve the employment situation in Wales.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithI am aware that the latest Great Britain unemployment 251W figures are the highest for any November since 1940. The unemployment rate for Wales in November, 1970 was 3.9 per cent. as compared with 2.6 per cent for Great Britain. Our local officers will continue to do all they can to help unemployed workers in Wales to find new jobs. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Trade and Industry and my right hon. Friend intend to pursue vigorously the Government's policies for encouraging industrial expansion in Wales.