HC Deb 25 November 1925 vol 188 cc1354-5
34. Colonel CLIFTON BROWN

asked the Minister of Labour what increase of employment, if any, has taken place in the Nottingham lace industry since the 1st July?

Mr. BR0CKLEBANK

Before my right hon. Friend answers, may I ask him whether he is aware that, owing to the safeguarding duty the retained imports of both mixed and other lace have decreased enormously?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I am not sure, as far as I could hear it, that the hon. Member's question affects this matter. No figures are available showing the numbers of persons employed in the lace industry at Nottingham since 1st July. The reports received, however, indicate that there has been little change in employment during this period. The number of insured persons in the lace industry recorded as unemployed at the Nottingham Employment Exchange at the end of October was 1,285, as compared with 1,268 in July.

Colonel CLIFTON BROWN

Is not the figure for the whole trade an increase of 515 unemployed?

Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFT

Is it not a fact that the imports prior to the imposition of the duty were abnormal and that there were quantities of stock which will take some time to dispose of?

Mr. SPEAKER

The Minister of Labour does not deal with these trade questions.

Mr. HOPKINSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Government the extreme inadvisability, judging from figures which he has given, of applying safeguarding to any industry except an industry which is already in articulo mortis.

39. Mr. McKENZIE LIVINGSTONE

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can say what is the difference, in the unemployment figures in the lace industry between the month of October this year and the corresponding period last year?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The number of persons in the lace industry of Great Britain recorded as unemployed at 26th October, 1925, was 3,893 as compared with 3,935 at 27th October, 1924, a decrease of 42 between these two dates.

42. Sir FRANK SANDERSON

asked the Minister of Labour the increase, if any, in the number of persons employed in the automobile industry since the re-introduction of the McKenna Duties?

65 and 66. Captain PETER MAC-DONALD

asked the Minister of Labour

GREAT BRITAIN.
— Estimated numbers insured. Numbers recorded at Employment Exchanges as unemployed.
July, 1924. July, 1925. 28th July, 1924. 27th July, 1925. 26th October, 1925
Construction and repair of motor vehicles, cycles and aircraft. 201,790 213,210 15,969 13,911 15,200
Lace industry 20,330 19,460 3,803 3,812 3,893