§ 41. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Labour if he can give an estimate of the persons now drawing unemployment relief; of the numbers unemployed but not drawing insured benefits; of the numbers employed on relief works; and of the numbers working short time?
Sir M. BARLOWAt 30th March the number of persons in receipt of unemployment benefit was about 935,000.
As regards the number unemployed and not in receipt of benefit, I can only give figures in respect of persons registered at Employment Exchanges At 30th March the number of such persons was about 295,000, of whom about 54,000 were persons who had exhausted benefit the remainder include claimants serving the waiting week, those whose claims are not yet authorised, and persons not belonging to insured trades.
The number of persons directly employed on relief schemes and on works assisted under the Trade Facilities Act at 24th March, as reported to the Ministry of Labour, was 148,709. In addition, employment was provided in ancillary occupations as a result of these works, for, probably, at least 60,000 or 70,000 more.
As regards the number working short time I am unable to give a total figure, but the number at 26th March working systematic short time in such a manner as to qualify them for unemployment benefit was 55;001.