§ 42. Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the latest unemployment figures for North-East Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithAt 10th January, 8,534 people were registered as unemployed in the North-East Lancashire Intermediate Area, including 395 who were temporarily stopped. The rate of unemployment was 4.2 per cent. The cotton textile industry, which is so important to the area, should benefit from the greater stability in the United Kingdom market which will result from the import arrangements announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 8th December.