HC Deb 26 January 1976 vol 904 cc78-80W
Mr. Delargy

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons were registered as unemployed in the Thurrock area at the latest convenient date; and how many were so registered this time last year.

Mr. John Fraser

On 8th January 1976, 2,655 people—this figure is provisional—were unemployed in the area covered by Grays and Tilbury employment offices. Because of industrial action at local offices of the Employment Service Agency, information for January 1975 was not collected. However, in February 1975 there were 1,453 unemployed in this area.

Mr. Hordern

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will provide figures showing the number of unemployed for more than six months, for each month since January 1975 to the latest convenient date.

Mr. John Fraser

Analyses showing the length of time for which unemployed people remain registered are made in January, April, July and October. Because of industrial action at local offices of the Employment Service Agency, information for January 1975 is not available. Following is the information available for Great Britain:

Number registered for over 26 weeks
April 1975 248,895
July 1975 275,493
October 1975 315,727

Mr. Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing, in descending order, the percentage rise in the numbers unemployed in Scotland, Wales and each of the English regions between January 1975 and January 1976.

Mr. John Fraser

Following is the information available:

Percentage rise in numbers unemployed between February 1975 and January 1976*
Region Per cent.
West Midlands 122.5
South East 100.5
Yorkshire and Humberside 85.1
Wales 82.5
East Anglia 76.4
East Midlands 76.3
South West 75.6
North West 71.8
Scotland 60.0
North 50.8

* Provisional.

Because of industrial action by local offices of the Employment Service Agency, information for January 1975 is not available.

Mr. Tom King

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people were unemployed in each of the employment areas in the Bridgwater parliamentary constituency at the most recent count; and what were the comparable figures for the same month in 1974 and 1975.

Mr. John Fraser

Following is the information available:

NUMBERS UNEMPLOYED IN
EMPLOYMENT OFFICE AREAS
Minehead Burnham-on-Sea Bridgwater
January 1976 655* 527* 1,157*
February 1975† 366 296 786
January 1974 207 188 415

* Provisional.

† Owing to industrial action at local offices of the Employment Service Agency information for January 1975 is not available.