§ 23. Captain W. BENNasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed in the yarn spinning industry?
§ Sir M. BARLOWIn the statistics of unemployment kept by the Department yarn spinners are not distinguished from other branches of the textile trades. I may say, however, that on 22nd May there were 51,484 persons in the cotton trade registered as wholly unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain and 15,335 persons in the woollen and worsted trade; in addition, there were 17,965 cotton trade workers and 2,964 woollen and worsted trade workers registered as on short time.
§ Captain BENNHas the hon. Gentleman had his attention directed to an authoritative statement that 2,300 people would be thrown out of work were the Order to be made which is now before the House?
§ Sir M. BARLOWNo; I have received no information of that.
§ Captain BENNIs the hon. Gentleman receiving a deputation this afternoon on the subject?
§ Sir M. BARLOWNot that I am aware.