§ 24. Mr. KELLYasked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women employed in the brewing trade in April, 1928, and the number of unemployed from that trade in the same month?
§ Mr. BETTERTONFor the purpose insurance statistics brewing is included with aerated water manufacture and the bottling of wines, spirits, beers, etc., to form a group covering the whole drink industry. At July, 1927, the estimated numbers of insured persons in Great Britain aged 16 to 64 years classified as belonging to the drink industry were 78,840 men, 21,520 women and 6,490 juveniles. At 26th March, 1928, the latest date for which figures are available, the numbers of these insured persons recorded as unemployed were 2,489 men, 1,733 women and 222 juveniles.
Captain CROOKSHANKDoes not the hon. Gentleman think it is misleading that brewery employés should be included with aerated water workers, or is this a form of camouflage to hide the position from the teetotallers?
§ Mr. BETTERTONNo, Sir, the figures are not classified for that purpose, but 214 they are lumped together because it is impossible to classify separately all who are engaged in these two industries.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYWould not a reduction in the tax on beer provide employment for all the 4,000 unemployed?
§ Mr. HANNONIn point of fact, is not this unemployment in the drink trade due to the improved conditions under which the public-houses in this country are carried on?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEWould not employment be found for some of these men if there were a reduction in the taxation on drink?