§ 40. Sir H. CROFTasked the Minister of Labour how many men are employed in the manufacture of pianos; and how many men in the industry are at present unemployed?
§ Mr. BETTERTONSeparate figures for the manufacture of pianos are not available, as this industry is included with others in the group "Musical instruments."
§ Sir H. CROFTCan the hon. Gentleman say what is the answer to the question with regard to the unemployed in the industry?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe latest figure that I have for the number insured in the "Musical Instruments" group is, on the 22nd March, 1926, in Great Britain, 21,590, and the number unemployed was 1,596, or 7.4 per cent.
§ Sir H. CROFTCan the hon. Gentleman say if that is an improvement on the figures of last year?
§ Mr. BETTERTONIt is an improvement from 7.8 last year to 7.4 now.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CLIFTON BROWNIs not this improvement far less than the improvement in other industries which have not been protected?
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIs it not a fact that if the figures for the first three months of the present year are taken, there is more unemployment in the musical instrument trades than there was last year?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI could not answer that question.