§ 16. Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Labour how many persons were unemployed in the building trade in England and Wales at the last available date; and how the figures compare with that date a year ago?
§ Mr. BETTERTONAs the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the hon. Gentleman give the comparative figures for 1929 and 1928?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI can give the total figures. The total figure in February, 1928, was 107,965, and in February, 1929, 179,903. Of course, it is obvious that the greater part of this increase is due to the very severe weather which prevailed in February of this year.
§ Mr. LAMBCan my hon. Friend say whether the form he is publishing will show the difference between skilled and unskilled occupations?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, it does not show that. It shows the difference between the wholly unemployed and the temporarily stopped.
§ Mr. HARRISWill the hon. Gentleman call the attention of the Minister of Health to these figures and point out to him the necessity of increasing his building programme in order to help unemployment?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo doubt the hon. Member's question will be read by my right hon. Friend.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Insured persons classified as belonging to the building industry recorded as unemployed in England and Wales.
| Date. | Wholly unemployed. | Temporarily stopped. | Total. |
| 25th Feb., 1929 | 147,695 | 32,208 | 179,903 |
| 20th Feb., 1928 | 104,690 | 3,275 | 107,965 |