§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEYI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade 782 if, with a view to the publication of fuller information on the subject of the unemployed, he will communicate with the trade unions asking if they have any objection to the publication in a monthly Parliamentary Return of a statement as to the proportion of their members out of work at the end of each month.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI have considered this matter carefully, but I have come to the conclusion that it is not desirable to make the communication suggested. The averages published monthly in the Labour Gazette, both for all unions making Returns and for particular groups of trades, give all the information likely to be extracted from these Returns which is really of value to the public as indicating changes in the level of employment.
§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will communicate with the trade unions, and ask the question? If he does, he will find that they do not object. I believe that the Amalgamated Society of Engineers already publish the information, so why cannot the Board of Trade do it?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI am desirous of giving the House the fullest and most accurate information; but I must follow what I consider good advice as to the methods taken to obtain the Returns.