§ 54. Lieut-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Labour how many persons are now employed in the lace industry or the number employed at the latest convenient date, and the corresponding figures for 1926 and 1925, respectively?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDStatistics of the number of insured persons in each industry are compiled in relation to July of each year. At July, 1926, the estimated number of insured persons in the lace industry in Great Britain was 19,000 as compared with 19,500 at July, 1925. Of these numbers 4,035 were recorded as unemployed at 26th July, 1926, and 3,812 at 27th July, 1925. At 21st February, 1927, the number recorded as unemployed was 2,389, of whom 999 were wholly unemployed, and 1,390 temporarily stopped from the service of their employers. Statistics relating to insured persons do not include outworkers.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman give me the numbers employed in February, 1927?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, it is only possible to do that once a year when the books are returned to the Exchanges; it is not possible on other occasions.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDIf the hon. Member will put that question down I will try to obtain the information.