HC Deb 07 May 1929 vol 227 c2033
24. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the latest figures at his disposal of the number of unemployed miners on the register?

Mr. BETTERTON

At 22nd April, 1929, the number of insured persons classified as belonging to the coal mining industry in Great Britain recorded as unemployed was 176,132, including 46,745 who were temporarily stopped from the service of their employers.

Mr. LAWSON

Has the hon. Gentleman any means of getting to know the number who are unemployed but who will not register because they are unemployed, as his colleague at the Ministry of Health has just told the House that in a county where there are 20,000 miners recorded as unemployed, actually 16,000 are not receiving benefit?

Mr. BETTERTON

I have stated that any miner who is out of work and who desires employment would, as the first and most elementary precaution, register at the local Exchange.