HC Deb 04 November 1909 vol 12 cc1992-3
Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the present percentage of unemployed throughout the trade unions in the United Kingdom?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The percentage unemployed among members of all Trade Unions in the United Kingdom cannot be stated, as some Unions do not pay unem- ployed benefit, and consequently have no exact record of the number of their members out of work. Of the Unions making returns to the Board of Trade 7.4 per cent. of the members were unemployed at the end of September, which compares with 9.4 per cent. at the corresponding period of last year.

Mr. CHIOZZA MONEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of stating separately the percentage of unemployment in each of the trades concerned in order that the people may see which of the trades is affected, and in order that they may see that at the present time the depression in the shipbuilding largely accounts for the unemployment?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am considering the question of publishing further statistics on the subject of unemployment which would deal with the figures in the main different trades.

Mr. H. MYER

May I ask whether he has official information as to the condition of the unemployed in the boot trade in consequence of the United States having adopted Free Trade in leather, which has raised the price of leather in this country and curtailed our export trade?

Earl WINTERTON

Is it not a fact that while the return may be better than in any month since 1908, they are still about 3 per cent. above the average for October and November?

Mr. CHURCHILL

Yes; they are undoubtedly.

Mr. C. W. BOWERMAN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is not the case that the percentage of unemployment in Germany is much higher than it is in our country?

Mr. JOHN WARD

About three times.

An HON. MEMBER

And in America?

Mr. CHURCHILL

It is very difficult indeed to ascertain, but there is a great deal of unemployment in Germany at the present time.

Mr. MYER

May I have an answer to my question?

Mr. SPEAKER

If the hon. Gentleman wants information, let him put a question on the Paper.

Mr. MYER

It is on the Paper.

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is still more out of Order than I thought.