HC Deb 21 May 1924 vol 173 cc2175-6
20. Mr. LUMLEY

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the persons employed on schemes for the relief of unemployment on 25th April, 1924, owe their employment to schemes initiated in the first instance by the present Government?

Mr. SHAW

I would remind the hon. Member of the reply I gave him on Wednesday last. Figures showing the information asked for are not available, but, as stated in that reply, the number employed on relief works on 25th April was 15,669 greater than at the beginning of the year.

Mr. LUMLEY

Is it a fact that not one single person has been put into employment by the present Government?

Mr. SHAW

Hon. Members opposite will have a better opportunity of getting my scalp to-morrow.

Sir KINGSLEY WOOD

Why cannot the Minister give a definite reply in view of the Debate to-morrow?

Captain BRASS

Hon. Members do not want the scalp of the right hon. Gentleman, but want to know whether the Government have made any arrangements to increase employment in this country?

Mr. SHAW

I shall be glad in my speech to-morrow to show that the phenomenal decrease in unemployment is directly due to the policy of the Government.

27. Viscount CURZON

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have so far obtained employment out of schemes entirely initiated by the present Government; and whether he can state how many men have so far lost employment as a result of the decision to do away with the McKenna Duties?

Mr. SHAW

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the Noble and gallant Member to the reply given earlier to-day to the hon. Member for East Hull (Mr. Lumley). As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Bucks (Captain Bowyer).

Viscount CURZON

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman has not answered the question of the hon. Member for East Hull (Mr. Lumley) at all—that he has not answered the specific point raised—and may I ask him for these figures which are required for use in the Debate to-morrow?

Mr. SHAW

I have already said the Department has not got the figures.

Viscount CURZON

May we take it that the Government have no ideas on the subject of obtaining employment for those now out of work?