§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour the number of fresh individuals registered as employed in insured occupations since the last count in July, 1924, and the number of persons who, for all causes, have ceased to be so registered since the same date?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND:Between the beginning of July, 1924, and the end of March, 1925, the number of new issues of unemployment books (as distinct from exchange of old books) was about 748,000, of which 297,000 were issued to persons of the age of 18 or over. In spite of precautions taken by the Department, some proportion of the new issues consists of books asked for and obtained by persons who do not disclose that they previously held books. Accordingly, the figure of 748,000 is somewhat in excess of the number of fresh entries into insured occupations. The number who left the insured trades owing to death, emigration, etc., cannot be accurately estimated until some time after the end of the insurance year in June. The number for the insurance year 1923-24 is estimated at 761,000.
§ Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons on the unemployment register for the latest available date, and for the same date lash year?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain at 20th April was 1,202,700, compared with 1,050,546 at 21st April, 1924.
§ Mr. HARRIS:How does the right hon. Gentleman account for the fact that there has been this increase as compared with last year? Is it due to special causes?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe figures relating to unemployment nearly every year go through a sort of cyclical variation. They go down in the spring and up in the autumn and there are other minor variations. The hon. Member who has asked this question has asked for the figures for the period just after Easter. The figures for the period just after public holidays, whether it be Easter, Christmas or any other holiday time, are Probably the most unreliable there are 151 for the purpose of comparison, but on the whole the general tendency of unemployment has been not to fall so quickly this year, and there has not been that improvement in trade that we hoped for.
§ Mr. CLYNESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that was not the explanation given by him last year when he was on this side of the House?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe promises made were different and the explanations were different.
§ Mr. THOMAS SHAWIs it not a fact that for every week this year the total is higher than it was for the corresponding week of last year?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI think that is true. At the same time, I do not think that the numbers are strictly comparable.
§ Mr. SHAWIs it not a fact that, if you take the comparable figures, the numbers for this year are still higher? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer !"]
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon Gentleman aware that he said, in answer to a question two weeks ago, that he had a, solution for the unemployment problem, and when is he going to bring it forward?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDDoes the hon. Member say that I said I had a solution?
§ Mr. THORNEYes.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDMy solution was that the different sides in industry should come together, and face the facts.