§ MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what were the numbers and percentages of the unemployed in this country in the months of March and April, 1906, compared with the same months in 1908, so far as can be ascertained from the figures in his possession.
§ * MR. CHURCHILLIn the trade unions making returns to the Department the percentage returned as unemployed at the end of each of the months referred to by the hon. Member was as follows:—
In March and April, 1908, employment was considerably affected by the disputes in the engineering and shipbuilding trades, which rendered idle a large number of workpeople not directly concerned in the disputes.
Percentage. March, 1906 … … 3.9 April, 1906 … … 3.7 March, 1908 … … 6.9 April, 1908 … … 7.5
§ MR. FELLI suppose these figures do not include the men out of work on account of the strikes and lock-outs?
§ * MR. CHURCHILLThey do not.