HC Deb 08 November 1927 vol 210 cc5-6
25. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons, male and female, respectively, are registered as unemployed at the present time; and how many are working short time?

The MINISTER of LABOUR (Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland)

At 31st October, the number of persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 1,106,100, of whom 918,400 were males and 187,700 females. Of this total, 289,400 were temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is there any answer to the last part of the question, about the number working short time?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I cannot give the figure for short-time workers; they are not separately classified. The total given includes short-time workers with others as well.

Viscountess ASTOR

As there are so many more women unemployed than men, will the Government see that there is no further reduction in their grant—in fact, would they increase it—to the bureau set up for women's training?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

The Noble Lady is at fault. On an average, there is only one woman unemployed to between four and five men.

28. Mr. LUNN

asked the Minister of Labour the latest figures of the total number of unemployed men and women in Great Britain; and the total number of miners registered as unemployed?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

At 31st October, 1,106,100 persons were on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain, of whom 885,000 were men, 156,600 women and 64,500 juveniles. At 24th October, the latest date for which an industrial analysis is available, 223,691 persons classified as belonging to the coal-mining industry were recorded as unemployed, including 89,779 who were temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

Mr. LUNN

In view of the continued rise in the unemployment figures, may I ask what is in the mind of the Government, apart from insurance, in regard to the provision of work for those who are unemployed?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I must correct my hon. Friend—

Mr. SPEAKER

Policy cannot be discussed now.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Might we ask what the Government intend to do, if anything, to deal with the 230,000 miners whom they have thrown out of work by their Eight Hours Act?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter for argument.