HC Deb 06 February 1929 vol 224 cc1757-8
38. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKE

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the number of unemployed in the city of Birmingham and, particularly, in the Deritend Division, he will consider the advisability of cancelling the instructions to the Employment Exchanges in the city on the working of the industrial transference scheme?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

According to the last published figures, the percentage of unemployment in the Birmingham area has decreased from 11.9 per cent. in 1924 to 7.8 per cent., and is now 50 per cent. less than the corresponding figure for Great Britain as a whole. In the same period the insured population has increased by 8.2 per cent. In view. there- fore, of the inflow of population which is taking place (and apparently likely to continue in any event), while the local percentage of unemployment is decreasing, I am not prepared to take the action suggested by the hon. Member.

Mr. DENNISON

In view of the fact that the City Corporation of Birmingham and the Birmingham Board of Guardians have made representations to the right hon. Gentleman and to the Government to refrain from sending transferred unemployed to Birmingham, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his reply, and see that people living in Birmingham who are unemployed are given employment before transferred unemployed are imported?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I will always consider any communications made to me either by the authorities of the city or of the Poor Law Union in Birmingham.

Mr. DENNISON

Has the right hon. Gentleman received communications from these two bodies, or has he not?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Not recently; and I have no reason to believe that the city council of Birmingham take the view of the hon. Member.

Mr. DENNISON

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate what he means by "recently," because I have information that within the last three weeks a protest has been made to the right hon. Gentleman?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I do not know of anything recently. If the hon. Member will put down a question, I will find out any date and let him know.