§ 48. Sir HARRY BRITTAINasked the Minister of Labour whether he can give a figure of unemployment in 1913 which can be compared with the volume of unemployment to-day?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe only available statistics of unemployment in 1913 are the percentage of unemployment among members of certain trade unions, which was 2.1 per cent., and the percentage of unemployment in the trades then insured, which was 3.6 per cent. There is, however, I am afraid, not sufficient information available for converting these figures into a number of persons unemployed which would be on a comparable basis with the number so recorded at the present time.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEHas the hon. Gentleman any definition of what is normal unemployment since 1913?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI cannot give any. I have said in the answer that the only information which we have got consists of the returns of certain trade unions, the result of which I have just given.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEThen will the hon. Gentleman ask the Liberal party?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINDid not the Debate of yesterday show that the really sound suggestions for the relief of unemployment are now being carried out by His Majesty's Government?