§ 11. Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed men and women on the register drawing unemployment pay; what national work, giving employment, has been begun in the interests of the unemployed since 1st December last; how many men and women have been employed as a result of starting such work; what is its nature; and what additional new national work is now contemplated in the immediate future?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY OF LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)In reply to the first part of the question, the number of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges who are claiming unemployment benefit is as follows:—
The total figure includes a small number of persons who are serving the waiting week or whose claim to benefit is awaiting the decision of the local employment committee.
Men 916,509 Women 235,027 Juveniles 32,710 1,184,246 As I stated in the House in the course of the Debate on Friday last, it is not possible for anybody to say how many men are really employed and affected by the schemes now in operation, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has estimated that some 300,000 would probably be employed directly and 100,000 indirectly.