§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what action 314W he is taking to reduce unemployment in the Morpeth constituency;
(2) what proposals he has to provide work for unemployed men over 55 years of age in the Morpeth constituency.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThe continued impact of our measures to stimulate industrial expansion, particularly in the development areas, should lead to a further improvement in employment opportunities for workers of all ages in the Morpeth constituency. It is encouraging to see that the number of unemployed men aged 55 and over, in the area, has fallen from 596 in January 1972 to 498 in January 1973.
§ Mr. George Grantasked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of males unemployed within the mid-Northumberland local employment area have been unemployed for over 26 weeks but less than 52 weeks; and what percentage have been unemployed for more than 52 weeks up to the latest available date.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithOn 8th January in the area covered by the Alnwick, Amble, Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth and Morpeth employment exchange9 13.1 per cent. of unemployed males had been unemployed for over 26 and up to 52 weeks and 38.0 per cent. for over 52 weeks.