§ 54. Mr. T. SHAWasked the Minister of Labour the number of claimants to unemployment benefit who would be unable to satisfy the condition requiring payment of 30 contributions in the previous two years, if this condition were allowed to operate from next April onwards?
§ 53. Mr. LUMLEYasked the Minister of Labour if he will publish, as a White Paper, the results of the sample investigation recently made as to the probable effect of the introduction of the 30 contribution condition laid down by the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1927?
§ Mr. BETTERTONA sample analysis was made on 29th January, 1929, of the persons aged 18 years and over, numbering 1,092,000 in all, with claims authorised for benefit at that date. From this analysis it is estimated that the number of such persons who had paid less than 30 contributions in the two years preceding that date, was about 120,000. This represents approximately the number who would have been disqualified by the 30 contribution rule if it had been fully 974 in operation when the analysis was made. As regards making an estimate for the future, however, there are so many uncertain factors that no precise figure can be given. Moreover, under the existing law, the disqualifications under the 30-contribution rule would not take place all at once, but would be spread over the 12 months beginning on 19th April next. As regards the details of the sample analysis, I will circulate tables in the OFFICIAL REPORT, giving the figures for the seven administrative divisions and for certain industries with large numbers of unemployed persons.
§ Mr. SHAWIn view of the importance of the answer, may I ask the hon. Member to give us the figures of the actual number of unemployed, apart from those on the live register, or, if he is unable to do that, to give some analysis or some estimate to the House as to the real number of people unemployed in the country?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI will consider that point.
§ Following are the tables:
975| Sample Analysis of Claims for Unemployment Benefit28thJanuary,1929. | |||||
| Insured persons aged 18 to 64. | |||||
| Analysis by Divisions. | |||||
| Division. | Men. | Women. | |||
| Total number of claims authorised for benefit current on 28th January, 1929. | Estimated number of cases in which less than 30 contributions had been paid in the previous two years. | Total number of claims authorised for benefit current on 28th January 1929. | Estimated number of cases in which less than 30 contributions had been paid in the provious two years. | ||
| London & South Eastern | 136,300 | 4,980 | 19,380 | 390 | |
| South Western | … | 56,100 | 3,460 | 6,870 | 180 |
| Midlands | … | 120,940 | 10,690 | 34,510 | 1,160 |
| North Eastern | … | 225,140 | 41,570 | 33,420 | 1,250 |
| North Western | … | 170,520 | 14,560 | 55,940 | 3,270 |
| Scotland | … | 108,030 | 10,410 | 17,460 | 760 |
| Wales | … | 103,270 | 25,980 | 4,040 | 160 |
| Total Great Britain | … | 920,300 | 111,650 | 171,620 | 7,170 |