HC Deb 22 September 1915 vol 74 cc446-7
41. Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has obtained from the Registrar-General an estimate of the numbers of men of military age engaged in the various industries of the country; if he has been able to ascertain from this what numbers of men can still be spared from industries not essential in time of war; and, if so, whether he will give results of his inquiry?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)

I do not think that any useful object would be served by publishing the figures referred to by my hon. Friend. They are based on the Census of 1911, and necessarily afford no exact indication of the numbers of men who can still be spared from industry. Any estimate of the kind must depend upon a variety of factors and considerations.