§ 34. Mr. FISHERasked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed persons have been continuously unemployed for periods of three months, six months, nine months, and a year, respectively?
§ 37. Mr. GRAHAM WHITEasked the Minister of Labour if there are any statistics available to show the number of men now registered as unemployed who have been continuously unemployed for two years or more?
§ Mr. SHAWStatistics are not regularly compiled to give the information asked for. From an analysis of claims to unemployment benefit made in the 50 weeks between 2nd November, 1922, and 17th October, 1923, it appears that 5.8 per cent. of the 2,677,791 men claimants to benefit during that period drew benefit for the maximum of 44 weeks, 14.2 per cent. for between 26 and 44 weeks, and 23.3 per cent. for between 13 and 26 weeks. A sample inquiry relating to a date in the beginning of November, 1923, indicates that at that date about 5 per cent. of the men claimants to benefit who had entered insurance prior to 4th July, 1921, had had no insured employment during the subsequent 122 weeks. No corresponding information is available for unemployed persons who did not claim benefit.
§ 35. Mr. FISHERasked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed persons are under the age of 18 years?
§ Mr. SHAWThe number of persons under the age of 18 years recorded on the registers of Employment Exchanges and juvenile employment bureau in Great Britain on 9th June was 62,500, of whom 31,600 were boys, and 30,900 were girls. I have not sufficient information to enable me to estimate the number of unemployed persons under 18 who are not so recorded.
§ 36. Mr. GILBERTasked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed registered in the County of London on 1st June, giving details of men, women and young persons; and will he state how the figures compare with the same period last year?
§ Mr. SHAWOn 2nd June, 1924, there were on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the County of London, 81,442 men, 21,052 women and 6,545 juveniles. These figures, as compared with the figures of 12 months ago, represent decreases in unemployment of 20,048 among men, 2,849 among women and 1,112 among juveniles.
§ Mr. ALSTEADHas the right hon. Gentleman in his possession any figures as to the number of unemployed persons who are unemployable, especially in the industrial districts miners and other industrial workers?
§ Mr. SHAWI did try to do something, but the House decided that it was not necessary. [HON. MEMBERS: Oh, oh!"] I have no figures showing the number of people who are unemployable, and the term is one which it would be very difficult to define.