§ 20. Captain Sir GEORGE BOWYERasked the Lord Privy Seal how many more persons are in employment to-day than there were in 1914?
Mr. THOMASAs stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on 5th December, there are no statistics available regarding the numbers of persons employed in industry in 1914 comparable with those derived from the working of the Unemployment Insurance Acts at the present time. It is, therefore, only 219 possible to give an estimate. I am advised that the increase in the numbers in employment over 1914 may be estimated at between 800,000 and 1,000,000.
§ Sir G. BOWYERMay I ask whether that state of affairs causes the right hon. Gentleman some gratfication?
Mr. THOMASEverything which means that more people are employed ought to be gratifying to hon. Members in all parts of the House.
§ Sir G. BOWYERThen why, when we were in office, did the right hon. Gentleman pour scorn upon us Conservatives when we, too, were gratified with this increase?