§ 36. Major NALLasked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to spend considerable sums of money on public works in relief of unemployment; 905 whether he is aware that this unemployment is largely due to the depression in the building trade caused by the prohibitory powers of the Ministry of Health and to the part closing of many factories and curtailment of new enterprise caused by unrestricted imports; and whether he will take steps to remove all restrictions on building enterprise and redeem his pledges in regard to protecting key industries and preventing dumping in this country?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; to the second in the negative, and to the last part that the pledges given by the Government will be fulfilled.
§ Major NALLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if at a time when unemployment is so rife, it is really the policy of the Government to restrict enterprise in building?
§ The PRIME MINISTERCertainly not.
§ Major NALLBut that is what it amounts to.
§ 82. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the results of an inquiry conducted by the employers' organisation into the state of employment in the leather producing industry indicating that in the middle of October employment was about 30 per cent, less than the normal, whereas the percentage of unemployment officially given, and frequently quoted as representing the state of employment in the industry, was only 7.1 per cent.; and if, in view of this error in the official figures, he will endeavour to obtain more accurate information as to the state of employment in this industry?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI am aware of the inquiry referred to, and my hon. Friend will find, on page 613 of the "Labour Gazette" for November (a copy of which I am sending him) that a reference thereto has been made in the report on employment in the leather trades in October. The percentage of 7.1 quoted represents the proportion of trade union members reported to the Ministry of Labour as wholly unemployed at the end of September, and I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of this figure. The amount of under-employment indicated 906 by the results of the employers' inquiry took account, not only of workpeople entirely unemployed, but also of reductions in the working hours of workpeople in employment, and my hon. Friend will observe that in the particulars given in the "Labour Gazette" it has been pointed out that there has been a considerable amount of short time in the leather industries during the past two months.
§ 86. Captain R. TERRELLasked the Minister of Labour what percentage of unemployment among the trades of which he has a record existed at the end of the week terminating 20th November; and what proportion of this unemployment is represented by' men who have actually served in the War?
§ Sir M. BARLOWThe percentage of unemployment at 19th November was 33 in trades and industries other than agriculture and domestic service, as shown by the number of unemployment books lodged at Employment Exchanges under the new Unemployment Insurance Act. Owing to the fact that new entrants under the Act were not qualified for benefit at 19th November, the number of unemployment books lodged and consequently the percentage of unemployment as given is below the actual figure; 57 per cent, of the workpeople recorded as unemployed were ex-service men and women.
§ Captain TERRELLIs it not a fact that if certain trade unions were to relax some of their regulations the whole of these ex-service men could be employed?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI think we could all suggest a certain amount of hypothetical circumstances under which they might possibly be absorbed. The question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend is at the moment occupying the close attention of the Cabinet Committee.
§ Captain TERRELLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction amongst the unemployed ex-service men in this country, and what right has any trade union to dictate to ex-service men as to what industries they should be employed in?
§ Sir M. BARLOWI am fully aware, and I am sure the whole House is aware, that the point raised is a very pressing and a very difficult one, and I hope it will be decided at an early date.
§ Captain TERRELLIt is not so difficult as the Cabinet imagines.
§ 87. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that in many industrial establishments throughout the country there is likely to be an extended holiday period at the Christmas season, which will result in many thousands of workmen being idle for periods varying from one to four weeks; and whether he will issue an instruction that workmen who are qualified will be entitled to receive unemployment benefit under the National Insurance Act, although they may not be technically discharged from their employment?
§ Sir M. BARLOWUnemployment benefit is not payable under the Unemployment Insurance Act in respect of recognised holidays, but where a holiday is extended by the employer for his convenience the period of extension is ordinarily regarded as unemployment for the purposes of benefit. The rules to be applied are laid down in the Act, and any cases of doubt will be settled in the usual way by the Courts of Referees and the Umpire.