§ 29. Mr. PERRINGasked the Minister of Labour if he will state how many cabinet makers' French polishers are reporting themselves as unemployed and receiving out-of-work pay; if he will have inquiries made through the cabinet-making trade of East London whether there is any evidence to support the statements that men, both small master cabinet makers and journeymen, register as unemployed, attend the bureau and report themselves in the morning, and then follow their calling as cabinet makers and French polishers during the latter part of the day; and whether applications from employers in the above trade are still unsatisfied?
§ Mr. WARDLEOn the 16th May the number of men classed as French polishers and receiving donation was 359, of whom 296 were discharged members of His Majesty's Forces. The corresponding figures for Exchanges in East London were 138 and 119 respectively. These figures include all types of French polishers. I cannot give separate figures for cabinet makers' French polishers.
I am having inquiries made into the allegation contained in the second part of the question, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member in due course. Meanwhile I shall be grateful if the hon. Member will give me any facts which appear to support the allegation.
The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative, though in East London there are only seven unsatisfied applications from employers for French polishers, and throughout the country the supply exceeds the demand, so far as the demand is notified to the Exchanges.
§ Mr. PERRINGDoes the answer apply to both men and women, or to men only?
§ Mr. WARDLEIt applies to all classes, including women.