§ 41. Mr. SWANasked the Minister of Labour if he can state what is the proportion of the registered number of unemployed who have been engaged in the cooperative movement?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have no information as to the number of persons unemployed who have been engaged in the co-operative movement.
§ Mr. SWANCan we assume that the stability of employment in the co-operative movement is greater than in the ordinary kind of employment of private enterprise?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should be very glad indeed to have the evidence upon which my hon. Friend bases that statement.
§ Mr. SWANThen you have not had any returns from any co-operative movement where men have been dismissed, apart from those who have had to vacate due to filling the places of ex-service men who have since returned to their work?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI should not have returns sent to me. The servants in question register their names at the employment exchanges, and whether or not they say they have been servants of the co-operative movement I cannot say, but any facts sent to me on the point will be welcomed.
§ Mr. N. MACLEANIs it not the case that the number of employés of the co-operative movement has increased since the Armistice and that very few employés have been dismissed because of under-employment?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI have no information on that point.
§ Mr. WATERSONIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive that information?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAIt is practically offered to me.