HC Deb 18 February 1975 vol 886 cc320-1W
28. Miss Fookes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the latest figures for those wholly unemployed and those on short-time working in the Plymouth area; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Fraser

On 11th November 1974 there were 4,343 registered unemployed in the Plymouth travel-to-work area. Owing to industrial action at local offices of the Employment Service Agency, figures for December 1974 and January 1975 are not available. There are currently only about 30 workers known to my Department to be on short-time working. The rise in unemployment during the autumn was particularly noticeable in construction and the seasonal industries.