§ 62. Sir H. CROFTasked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons were employed in the gramophone industry in 1924 and 1927, respectively?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTER of LABOUR (Mr. Betterton)As explained in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 14th February, I have no statistics on this subject and I am informed by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, that he is unable to supply the information desired.
§ Sir H. CROFTIn view of the fact that the gramophone industry, which is now a very great one, is booming at the moment, could not the hon. Gentleman ascertain from the five or six firms the number of persons employed?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe reason why it is difficult to give any specific answer to the question as framed, is because employment in this trade is spread over at least three industrial groups. For instance, there is the musical instruments group; then there is the general engineering group which includes gramophone motors, and then there is the "other metals" group which includes gramophone parts.
§ Sir H. CROFTIs it not time that the Government took credit for the remarkable success of these duties?
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIs it not the case that in the piano trade, which is in the same class of industries, the unemployment was greater last year than it has been for many a long year?
§ Mr. CAMPBELLAnd is not the piano trade in that state because there is more machinery used.