§ 19. Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Labour whether the classification according to the occupation of persons insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts is so arranged as to show the total number of persons engaged in the production and repair of motor vehicles, aircraft, etc.: and, if not, whether the classification only includes persons employed, so far as production is concerned, in factories where motor vehicles are completed?
§ Mr. SHAWThe classification group which includes the motor industry is composed of all insured persons employed by firms engaged wholly or mainly in the construction and repair of motor cars, motor lorries, motor omnibuses, motor cycles, cycles and aircraft. It also includes workers at motor repair garages, It excludes persons engaged in the manufacture of cycle and motor accessories. The persons classified under this group are not limited to those employed in factories where motor vehicles are completed, but embrace all insured persons, including clerks, maintenance staff, etc., who are in the employ of firms concerned with any stage of manufacture, provided they come generally under the above description. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the official "Classified List of Industry Groups," which gives further particulars.
§ 25. Captain BOWYERasked the Minister of Labour how many cases of men recently employed in the motor industry but now unemployed have reported to the Employment Exchanges and what steps is he taking to find these men employment?
§ Mr. SHAWThe latest analysis of unemployed persons by industries relates to 28th April, and that for the end of May will not be available for some little time. In these circumstances, I cannot say whether there has been any net increase in unemployment in the motor 396 industry since the end of April. As soon as the information is available, I will communicate with the hon. Member. As regards the last. part of the question, I can add nothing to the reply given to a similar question on previous occasions.
§ Captain BOWYERMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is going to take special steps to find employment for the men whose unemployment is wholly due to the recent policy of the Government in regard to the McKenna Duties?
§ Mr. SHAWI am not admitting the statement, that is so frequently made, as to unemployment arising out of the policy of the Government, but I am prepared to take any steps that are possible to find employment for anybody who is unemployed, from whatever cause.
§ Captain BRASSCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether he has any definite plan for these people in the event—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a hypothetical question.
§ Captain BOWYERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week the Parliamentary Secretary to his Ministry directed my attention, in reply to a question, to the increase in the number of men in this industry who are going to the Exchanges, and how comes it that he now says that no increase has been noticed?
§ Mr. SHAWAll that I said was, that I was not aware that there had been any net increase in unemployment, but that the figures were not yet prepared, and that, as soon as they are prepared, I will communicate them to the hon. and gallant Member.
§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the unemployment Returns for the week ending 19th May have increased considerably in the Midland area; and will he state the industries which show increases?
§ Mr. SHAWThe number of persons on the 19th May, 1924. recorded on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the Midlands area was 127,047, an increase of 601 as compared with the 12th May. As statistics on an industrial basis are prepared only at monthly intervals, the most recent date being 28th April, it is not yet 397 possible to state the industries which show recent increases or decreases in the numbers unemployed. If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question about the middle of June, I will gladly give the information.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the six towns in the Midland area whose chief industry is the making of motor cars, or spare parts of motors, the numbers of unemployed have increased by 2,035?
§ Mr. SHAWI am not aware of that fact. I am aware that there has been an increase of one-half per cent. in the area spoken of It is my desire, as keen as that of the hon. Member, to get to know the exact facts at the earliest possible moment so that the House may know what the position is.