HC Deb 16 January 1976 vol 903 cc254-5W
Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of vacancies for males and females currently notified to his Department in the Bedfordshire, South parliamentary constituency; and what were the figures 12 months ago.

Mr. John Fraser

In December 1975 there were 76 vacancies for males and 50 vacancies for females held at the Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard employment offices, and 12 vacancies for males and 27 vacancies for females held at careers offices in the area. The comparable figures for December 1974 are not available owing to industrial action at local offices of the Employment Services Agency, but in November 1974 the figures were 434, 135, 45 and 55, respectively. The figures relate only to vacancies notified to employment offices and careers offices and are not a measure of total vacancies.

Mr. Madel

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total number of people, divided into males and females, currently registered as unemployed in the Bedfordshire, South parliamentary constituency; how this compares with the national average; and what were the figures 12 months ago.

Mr. John Fraser

Following is the information available:

the rate in the Ormskirk travel-to-work area.

Mr. John Fraser

Rates of unemployment cannot be calculated separately for the Skelmersdale New Town for the reason explained to my hon. Friend in answer to a Question on 12th December 1975—[Vol. 902, c. 427–8]. The numbers unemployed at 11th December 1975 in the Skelmersdale employment office area were 2,100.