§ Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what has been the effect on office employment in the Weymouth area of the amalgamation of Webb Major Limited with other firms; how many shops in Weymouth have recently notified her that they were closing down; what are the effects on employment of the run-down at the Underwater Weapons Establishment, other firms at Portland, and the Atomic Energy Authority, Winfrith; and what is the current level of unemployment compared with last year in the Weymouth area.
§ Mr. DellThe amalgamation involving Webb Major Limited, has not so far affected office employment in the Weymouth area. Redundancies are expected to arise in February or March. I have been informed of redundancy at one retail shop in Weymouth in recent months. With the exception of a small number of skilled engineering workers who are being discharged from the Atomic Energy Authority, Winfrith, the run-down at this establishment and at the Underwater Weapons Establishment is expected to be achieved through natural wastage. No other redundancies at Portland have been notified. On 12th
54Win the Penzance, St. Ives, St. Mary's employment area, the Helston employment area, and in Cornwall generally in each November from 1955 to 1969, inclusive.
§ Mr. DellFollowing is the information:
January, 1970, provisional figures showed that there were 843 persons registered as unemployed at Weymouth, representing an unemployment rate of 5 per cent. compared with 4.1 per cent. in January, 1969.