§ 20. Mr. GALBRAITHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, at the inquiry recently instituted by him to consider unemployment in the fabric glove industry, it was stated that, whereas this industry had 12,000 people employed in 1919–20, there were only 1,750 now employed, of which many were on short time; whether he is aware that the Minister of Labour states that on the 28th February there were only 13 609 glove makers (including fabric, leather, wool, etc.), registered as unemployed and 507 as working short time; and will he bear this in mind before he makes any Order imposing a duty on imported fabric gloves?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am aware of the evidence regarding unemployment which was given before the Committee and also of the statement by the Minister of Labour, which is referred to in the question. The discrepancy is no doubt largely due to the fact that the official figures do not cover out-workers, to which class I am informed a large proportion of the total number of persons employed in this industry belong. The hon. Member may rest assured that all relevant considerations will be borne in mind.