HC Deb 10 February 1926 vol 191 cc1031-2
56. Mr. REMER

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are unemployed in the steel industry of the United Kingdom?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)

The number of insured persons recorded as unemployed in Great Britain on 25th January, classified as belonging to the industrial group "steel melting and iron puddling furnaces, iron and steel rolling mills and forges," was 44,137.

Mr. GRIFFITHS

Is the Minister aware that, although he finds so many unemployed in the iron and steel trade, the production is greater to-day than it was in 1913?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Yes, Sir, I am quite well aware of the capacity of the industry.

Mr. ERSKINE

Does the answer mean that there are 44,000 victims of Free Trade?

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