§ 50. Mr. BARNESasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been directed to the fact that there were 138,222 applicants for unemployed benefit from workmen in the insured trades; do these trades include only about one-sixth of the industrial population, and that therefore the number of unemployed must be probably six times the number given in a period of unexampled trade prosperity; and, in view of the increase and probable trouble arising therefrom when trade declines, if any and, if so, what steps are being taken to provide employment?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)The number 138,222 referred to by my hon. Friend represents all the applications for unemployment benefit received for a period of nearly three weeks and does not represent the numbers unemployed at the present time, or at any 1991 one time, considerable numbers of the applicants having again obtained employment since applying. The total number of unemployment books remaining lodged at the Local Offices of the Unemployment Fund on 24th January was about 112,000. Over 70 per cent, of these belonged to workpeople in the building trade in which there is naturally at the present time a seasonal depression. The trades that were selected for inclusion under Part II. of the National Insurance Act were so selected on the ground that they were specially liable to unemployment. In view of this I cannot assent to the suggestion that the proportion of unemployment in all trades is likely to be nearly as great as that in these particular trades. The benefits of Unemployment Insurance are just commencing, and it would be premature at the present time to consider whether and how far the Act shall be extended.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures do not seriously conflict with the statement made by His Majesty's Ministers in their speeches in the country with regard to unemployment?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONNot in the least degree.
§ Mr. BARNESDoes the right hon. Gentleman not regard the fact of 112,000 being out of work as a very serious condition of things, and may I ask what steps, if any, are being taken to provide for a rainy day?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONThe hon. Member can easily work out the percentage of the total number of insured persons, and he will find it is not very high. With regard to the provision for a rainy day, I said at the end of my answer it would be premature to consider the extension of the Act at present.