HC Deb 12 December 1975 vol 902 cc424-6W
Mr. Mudd

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now announce the percentage level of unemployment in West Cornwall, indicating the figure this percentage would mean on a national basis; and if he will give details of his plans to reduce unemployment in West Cornwall.

Mr. John Fraser

At November 1975 there were 9,667 people unemployed in West Cornwall and the rate of unemployment was 10.3 per cent. A rate of 10.3 per cent. for Great Britain as a whole would represent about 2,350,000 unemployed. It must be borne in mind, however, that the rate in West Conwall is to some extent inflated by seasonal factors.

West Cornwall, along with the rest of Great Britain, will benefit from the measures announced on 24th September. These were designed to mitigate the worst effects of unemployment throughout Great Britain by enabling up to 100,000 people

SCOTLAND
Number unemployed Percentage rate of unemployment
Males Females Males Females
October 1950 42,343 16,353 3.0 2.3
October 1951 30,818 17,315 2.2 2.4
October 1955 28,424 15,672 2.0 2.1
October 1959 59,695 23,140 4.2 3.0
October 1964 48,684 20,187 3.5 2.5
October 1966 45,572 16,250 3.3 2.0
October 1970 75,242 17,884 5.7 2.1
October 1971 105,987 26,570 8.1 3.3
October 1972 102,035 28,075 7.9 3.4
October 1973 65,063 16,338 5.0 1.9
October 1974 67,356 16,619 5.2 1.9
October 1975 94,309 31,485 7.3 3.6

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will publish a table showing Scottish male and female unemployment in percentage and number terms in October of 1945, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1966, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975;

(2) if he will publish a table showing the Scottish unemployment in percentage and number terms in October of 1945, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1966, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Mr. John Fraser

Following is information from 1950, the earliest of the specified years for which statistics on the current basis are available.

to obtain jobs which otherwise would not have been available. The whole of West Cornwall has development area status.

Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing Scottish youth unemployment in percentage and number terms in October of 1945, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1966, 1970. 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.

Mr. John Fraser

From October 1975 there are monthly figures of the unemployed, other than adult students registered for vacation employment, aged under 20. Previously, statistics for those under 20 included unemployed students and were available only from the detailed half-yearly age analysis normally made in January and July or, prior to 1962, in June and December. Percentage rates of unemployment are not available for separate age groups. The following table shows the numbers of unemployed aged under 20 from June 1950, the earliest of the years specified for which statistics on the current basis are available.

NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE, AGED UNDER 20, UNEMPLOYED IN SCOTLAND
Males Female Total
June 1950 3,711 2,143 5,854
June 1951 1,946 1,572 3,518
June 1955 1,782 1,620 3,402
June 1959 5,617 2,536 8,153
June 1964 7,448 4,279 11,727
June 1966 5,294 2,901 8,195
June 1970 10,099 4,495 14,594
June 1971 16,449 7,961 24,410
June 1972 18,602 9,432 28,034
June 1973 10,146 5,009 15,155
June 1974 11,954 5,420 17,374
June 1975 21,970 13,244 35,214
October 1975 12,450 9,185 21,635