§ 32. Colonel VAUGHAN-MORGANasked the Minister of Labour the latest figure of those unemployed; and what was the last date at which the figure was at the same level since the War?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDAt 23rd May, 1927, the total number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 978,200. Statistics of unemployment on a corn parable basis are available only from January, 1921, and the figure I have quoted is the lowest recorded since that date.
§ Captain FRASERIs there any truth in the allegation so frequently made that those reductions are due to the Government's action in tightening up unemployment benefit regulations?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir, there is no truth in it whatsoever. [HON. MEMBERS: "You know that is not so!"] There was no truth in it whatsoever at any time. An inquiry was made a year ago to see whether, as the result of any stricter administration, there were any number of people who had ceased to register. I have had that inquiry made again for my own purposes recently, and I think the total increase in any such number could not exceed 5,000, if, indeed, it came to as many, and no alteration has been made in the administration since a year ago.
Mr. BECKETTHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the last White Paper issued by the Minister of Health, in which he states that there are a larger number of paupers in the country than for a very long time?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat does not arise out of the question.