§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, for the purpose of obtaining more accurate information about unemployment, he will separate the Skelmersdale New Town are from Ormskirk travel-to-work area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John FraserWork place and transport to work information from the 10 per cent. sample results of the 1971 Census of Popoulation is now available and a review of the travel-to-work areas throughout Great Britain has recently commenced. The information shows that Skelmersdale and Upholland UD does not constitute a self-contained travel-to-work area. Availability of numbers unemployed, as distinct from rates of428W unemployment, does not depend on the definition of travel-to-work area, and unemployment figures for the Skelmersdale employment office area are available monthly.
§ Mr. Michael McGuireasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the current rate of unemployment, in the Skelmersdale New Town, and the rest of the Ince constituency, amongst men, women, boys and girls, respectively: and how this compares with the regional area and national average.
§ Mr. John FraserRates of unemployment are calculated only for complete travel-to-work areas. The Ince constituency comprises parts of the Ormskirk and Wigan travel-to-work areas. There are separate rates for males and females but not for men, women, boys and girls.
Following is the information available.
PERCENTAGE RATES OF UNEMPLOYMENT AT NOVEMBER 1975 Males Female Ormskirk travel-to-work area 11.1 6.2 Wigan travel-to-work area 8.7 3.4 North-West Region 8.2 3.2 Great Britain 6.3 2.7