§ 38. Major NATHANasked the President of the Board of Trade to what cause he attributes the increase both in the number and percentage of unemployed in the silk and artificial silk industry during the period July, 1928, to June, 1929, as compared with the period July, 1924, to June, 1925?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThis industry has for some years been expanding rapidly, and during the last few years there have been signs that production has, at times, tended to advance more rapidly than consumption. It is possible that during the later period referred to some new firms began operations while at the same time other firms were restricting production. As the industry is carried on in many parts of the country, this may have resulted in an increase in the number of unemployed persons occurring at the same time as an increase in the total number of persons in the industry and of the volume of production.
§ Mr. REMERHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the very large increase of employment in this industry, and is he aware of the fact that a very large number of people unemployed in other industries of the textile goods are now registering themselves as employed in the silk industry?
§ Mr. GRAHAMI believe the last part of the question, as regards registration, is near the mark. The earlier part of the reply points to the expansion which has taken place in the industry.
§ Major NATHANIs it not the fact that between the dates given, the unemployed in the silk industry increased by upwards of 4,500, upwards of 3.3 per cent.?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThose figures are substantially correct, but the reply is intended to give the environment of the two percentages.
§ Mr. REMERIs it not a fact that over 20,000 more people are employed in the industry than before the duties were put on?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe are getting far away from the terms of the original question.