§ 7. Mr. SUGDENasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is prepared to take to provide industrial facilities for the large numbers of unemployed cotton and woollen workers, bearing in mind the failure of the Ministry of Labour to deal with the situation on direct labour absorption?
§ Sir A. GEDDESHis Majesty's Government have done, and will continue to do, everything in their power to facilitate the rapid development of industry in this country, and thereby to promote the demand for labour; and if my hon. Friend has any practical proposals in mind, I shall be glad to consider them. I would, however, point out that the latest information with regard to employment in the industries referred to by my hon. Friend does not indicate that the present situation as regards employment is bad.
§ Mr. SUGDENHas the right hon. Gentleman obtained statistics of the unemployed cotton employés, who number at least 30 per cent. of the whole of the unemployed in Lancashire?
§ Sir A. GEDDESOh, yes, Sir; the Ministry of Labour has those.