HC Deb 02 August 1922 vol 157 c1435
27. Sir ROBERT CLOUGH

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the figures of the unemployed, as recorded by his Department, on 29th July, and at the end of each fortnight during the preceding three months; and whether he possesses any figures enabling him to form an approximate estimate of those also unemployed but not registered with his Department?

Dr. MACNAMARA

The numbers of persons registered as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at fortnightly intervals during the past three months were as follow: 1st May, 1,617,082; 15th May, 1,553,745; 29th May, 1,471,434; 12th June, 1,443,088; 26th June, 1,405,293; 10th July, 1,371,534; and 24th July, 1,362,335. There is no means of making a reliable estimate of the number unemployed who are not registered at Employment Exchanges. I have no reason to suppose, however, that this number is at all large relatively to the number so registered.

Mr. W. THORNE

Do the figures just given by the Minister of Labour include the men and women who are receiving payment as well as those who have exhausted their benefit?

Dr. MACNAMARA

They include all the men, women, boys and girls registered as unemployed.