HC Deb 17 June 1982 vol 25 cc318-9W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number of persons unemployed, the percentage rate of unemployment and the total number of vacancies for (a) the Workington travel to work area and (b) Cumbria at the latest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Peter Morrison

At 13 May, the total number of people registered as unemployed in the Workington travel-to-work area was 5,461 and the unemployment rate was 17.4 per cent. The corresponding figures for Cumbria were 21,989 and 11.2 per cent.

At 7 May, the numbers of notified vacancies remaining unfilled at employment offices and careers offices in the Workington travel-to-work area were 155 and 6, respectively. The corresponding figures for Cumbria were 1,290 at employment offices and 75 at careers offices. Vacancies notified to employment offices are estimated to be about one-third of all vacancies in the country as a whole. Because of possible duplication the figures for employment offices and careers offices should not be added together.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the unemployment figures for the county of Cumbria, categorised by sex, age and the duration of unemployment, for the last month for which statistics are available.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The numbers registered as unemployed are analysed by age and by duration of unemployment in January, April, July and October. There are no later figures available than those for 15 April which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member in reply to his question of 17 May—[Vol. 24, c. 39–40].

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Employment, in pursuance of the answer to the hon. Member for Walsall, North given on 14 June regarding unemployment figures for the Walsall travel-to-work area, if he will give the percentage increase in unemployment since May 1979 in each of the seven districts mentioned and the present unemployment level expressed in percentage terms.

Mr. Peter Morrison

At 13 May 1982 the rate of unemployment in he Walsall travel-to-work area was 16.9 per cent.

The following table gives the percentage increases in total unemployment between May 1979 and May 1982 in the employment office areas comprising the Walsall travel-to-work area.

Percentage increase
Aldridge 371
Brownhills 338
Cannock 199
Lichfield 203
Rugeley 199
Walsall 228
Willenhall 368