§ 21. Mr. W. BAKERasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that for the week ending 28th November, 1927, the total figure of registered unemployed persons in the city of Bristol was 15,547; and whether, in view of this marked increase in the total of unemployed persons in the city of Bristol, he will reconsider his decision regarding relief works?
§ The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)The total number of persons registered as unemployed on the 28th November, 1927, at Employment Exchanges in the Bristol area, including Bristol, Avonmouth, Eastville, Westbury-on-Trym and Kingswood, was 14,675. The corresponding figure for the 5th December was 13,834. I am aware that unemployment in Bristol has recently shown a slight increase, but on the information at present before me I am not in a position to ask the Unemployment Grants Commitee to reconsider their decision that unemployment in Bristol is not exceptional.
§ Mr. BAKERHas the right hon. Gentleman included in those figures the partially employed workers, who are included in the figures in the question?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDYes, as far as I am aware they include partially employed workers, and I should add that the figure itself shows a decrease of very nearly 1,000 as compared with that of a year ago.