HC Deb 03 April 1930 vol 237 cc1430-3
3. Major GLYN

asked the Minister of Labour whether, seeing that each person registered at the Employment Exchanges has to state the trade or occupation he or she follows, she will state whether this information is tabulated in some way in order that there can be deductions drawn regarding the state of trade in various parts of the country; and whether she will reconsider the question of the advantages of dividing registered unemployed into various general categories, e.g., production, distribution, and clerical occupations?

Miss BONDFIELD

Statistics of unemployment in Great Britain are already compiled and published each month in the Ministry of Labour Gazette so as to show the state of employment in each of 100 industry groups. This grouping, into which industries fall more or less naturally, does not readily lend itself to a division under such headings as production, distribution and clerical occupations, since almost every industrial group includes to some extent two or more of these operations. If the hon. and gallant Member wishes I shall be glad to discuss the matter further with him.

5. Major COLVILLE

asked the Minister of Labour at what date the unemployment figures last stood at their present level?

Miss BONDFIELD

12th July, 1926.

14. Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND

asked the Minister of Labour what are the numbers of living insured persons whose books are on the two-months' file, the dead file, and at Kew, respectively, at the latest date available; and how many of each it is estimated will now receive benefit through changes in administration or in the law?

Miss BONDFIELD

At 24th March, 1930, there were 65,119 books of insured persons in the two months' file and 336,289 in the dead files at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. These totals may include a certain number of books of deceased contributors whose deaths had not been reported to the Department. Figures are not available regarding the number of books at Kew. On the basis of the reductions in these files consequent on administration changes and on the operation of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930, it is estimated that between 65,000 and 70,000 persons whose books were previously in the files in question had been added to the live register at 24th March, but I am unable to say how many will receive benefit.

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

Will the Minister tell us whether she thinks that this is the final figure, or Whether there are any further people who are likely to come upon the live register as a result of recent changes?

Miss BONDFIELD

I certainly should not like to say that this is the final figure.

Lieut. - Colonel Sir A. LAMBERTWARD

Are we to understand from the Minister's reply that those persons whose books are on the dead file did not bother to keep in touch with the Employment Exchanges as long as it was only a question of obtaining work but now that they believe they can get unemployment benefit, they have signed afresh.[Interruption.]

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

May we be informed as to how the Minister arrives at the figure of 200,000 which was mentioned in the White Paper, as the number of persons who might possibly be affected by the provisions of the Bill, subject to a certain number who would be disqualified in any case?

Miss BONDFIELD

I must have notice of that question.

19. Major CARVER

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered at the Employment Exchanges in the Howdenshire Parliamentary area now and at the end of last June, respectively?

23. Mr. LOUIS SMITH

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered at the Employment Exchanges in the Sheffield Parliamentary areas now and at the end of last June, respectively?

24. Brigadier-General MAKINS

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered at the Employment Exchanges in the Knutsford Parliamentary area now and at the end of last June, respectively?

25. Lieut.-Colonel MOORE

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered at the Employment Exchanges in the Ayr burghs Parliamentary area now and at the end of last June, respectively?

Miss BONDFIELD

I am obtaining the figures asked for in these questions, and will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I should point out that they will consist of the numbers on the registers at the Exchanges in the Parliamentary areas specified, and these numbers will not necessarily be identical with the numbers of registered persons resident in those areas.