HC Deb 16 February 1970 vol 796 c45W
Mr. Evelyn King

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many persons in the Weymouth and Portland area engaged in the building trade have registered as unemployed since 1st February, 1970; what is the percentage of unemployed at the present date in the Weymouth and Portland area; what was the percentage on the same date in 1964; and how far she attributes the increase to selective employment tax.

Mr. Dell

114 persons from the construction industry (MLH 500) registered as unemployed at Weymouth Employment Exchange between 1st February and 12th February, 1970, both dates inclusive; the provisional percentage rate of unemployment in the Weymouth area on 9th February, 1970 was 5.1 per cent. and on 10th February, 1964, it was 2.7 per cent. It is not possible to differentiate the effect of S.E.T. from those of other economic factors.