Oral Answers to Questions — Trade and Commerce – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 28 November 1961.
asked the President of the Board of Trade how many jobs which were in prospect in December, 1960, have now materialised in the Bishop Auckland constituency; how many are held by men; and where such jobs are to be found.
Between November, 1960, and August, 1961, the latest date for which the information is available, expanding firms in the hon. Member's constituency increased their total employment by some 190, including about 65 males. Since these figures are based on information obtained in confidence from individual firms, I cannot give the hon. Member further details.
As the Parliamentary Secretary knows, this is most unsatisfactory. I have in my hand the latest figures from the Ministry of Labour. There are practically 1,500 men and boys out of work in the Bishop Auckland travel-to-work area. This is practically the same position as it was two years ago. The hon. Gentleman discussed the Fielden Bridge site in my constituency. He knows the situation. Cannot he make a big effort there to get roads built and the general area tidied up so that the site may be more attractive to industry? Up to the moment, nothing at all has happened in my constituency.
There are 840 jobs in prospect against 1,463 unemployed at the present time, so that it is not true to say that nothing has happened. I will take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said and keep it under review.