§ 64. Mr. SHERWELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the present favourable conditions of trade and employment, he will consider the practicability of instituting a special inquiry with the object of ascertaining how far the persons recorded as unemployed in the latest Board of Trade Returns represent a normal or permanent evil of unemployment in this country, and what are the causes of their unemployment?
Mr. BUXTONI regret that the existing pressure in my Department in connection with various inquiries makes it impossible at the present time to undertake the interesting inquiry which my hon. Friend suggests.
§ Mr. SHERWELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he anticipates a more favourable opportunity for an inquiry of this kind than exists at the present time?
Mr. BUXTONI have said in my answer the suggestion seems to be an interesting one, but at the present moment I am not prepared to consider it, because other pressure is great. If that pressure diminishes, then I shall be glad to consider the point.