§ 10. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Labour how many persons are now registered as unemployed, and how many as working consistently short time?
11. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed for the latest available date and the number for the corresponding period of last year?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)I will, if I may, answer these questions together. At 2nd November the number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in 8 Great Britain was l,207,612 as compared with 1,228,023 at 3rd November, 1924. Figures for persons on short time are not at present available, but I am considering whether arrangements can be made to obtain such figures without undue cost.
§ Mr. W. THORNEDoes that figure include young persons who are not entitled to any benefit, although they may be registered at the Exchanges?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDYes, Sir.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERCould the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether it is on chose figures that the Chancellor of the Exchequer bases his estimate that there are 200,000 more people in industry to-day?
Sir A. STEEL MAITLANDPerhaps the hon. Member will put that question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. HARRISHave these figures been arrived at after the numbers have been deducted of man excluded from unemployment insurance under the last Act?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThese are the live register figures and they include all persons registered at the Employment Exchanges, whether in receipt of benefit or not.
§ Miss WILKINSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain of his officers are telling people who are being refused benefit that it is no use registering?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI am not aware of it at all.
§ Mr. WALLHEADDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that the figures he has given indicate the success of a Tory Government in dealing with unemployment?