§ MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he will grant a Return in continuation of that ordered to be printed on 4th September, 1895 531 (Parliamentary Paper, No. 468, Session 2), showing the occupations of the people as disclosed by the recent census; and whether it could be extended so as to include Scotland and Ireland.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) In this matter I am only concerned with England and Wales. I am informed by the Registrar-General that, in consequence of the change which has been made in the classification of occupations in the recent census, with the object of securing a more accurate definition of employment, a comparison in this respect with any previous census is extremely difficult. A comparative table, so far as it can be given, is, however, in course of preparation, and will be issued with the final report on the census. I trust that this will meet the object the hon. Member has in view.