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able and progress continues to be made with the demolition of houses which are
no longer fit for human habitation. Information on the rehousing of the tenants
in council houses and details concerning assessment of slum dwellings, demolition
and the building of new houses are supplied later in this Report.
The unemployment figures for adult persons, i. e. aged 18 and over in the
Borough at the end of 1963 shows a marked decrease compared with the previous
year. At the end of 1963 there were 258 unemployed, of which 227 were men and
31 women, At the end of 1962 the total unemployed numbered 329 and the previous
year 266,
With regard to vacancies there was an increased demand for labour. On
4th December, 1963, the number of vacancies outstanding was 468 (of which 246
were for men and 222 for women) compared with 248 in December, 1962 and 331 in
December, 1961. Generally therefore the demand for labour was greater than the
supply, particularly with regard to skilled work.

During the early part of the year the severe weather conditions were responsible
for some short-time working and temporary stoppages, Some young people
who left their employment without having another job to start, experienced delay
and difficulty and often found themselves no better off.
The position eased to some extent as the weather improved, and although
the Easter School Leavers were not absorbed into employment very quickly, the
local picture was much brighter than the national one, The engineering industry
took some time to recover and boys who were interested in this industry sometimes
had to take a second or third choice of occupation, Progressive vacancies
were particularly difficult to obtain in the printing and woodwork trades for
boys, while there were few local vacancies for junior shorthand typists unless
they could offer good working speeds There was also a good deal of competition
for junior vacancies leading to Drawing Office work. It was found that employers
were generally able to be even more selective than in previous years,
Fortunately, local employers responded well to an early appeal for vacancies
for the summer term school leavers and there were sufficient openings for
everyone, although several had to undertake temporary jobs rather than be unemployed
whilst awaiting a particular vacancy.
There were very few young people available for employment at Christmas as
a result of the change in the school leaving dates. There were no statutory
leavers for the first time, and only those who had remained at school beyond
the statutory age were permitted to leave,
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