§ 42. Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in the woollen textile industries in Great Britain at Easter this year and the corresponding figure for 1929?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. Lawson)The latest available statistics relate to 24th March, 1930, when the number of insured persons, aged 16 to 64, classified as belonging to the wool textile industry, recorded as unemployed in Great Britain, was 52,171, as compared with 27,081 at 25th March, 1929. These figures do not include hosiery and carpet manufacture.
§ Mr. HANNONIn view of the enormous increase in the number of the unemployed in the West Riding, will the hon. Member undertake to represent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the propriety of considering the recommendations of the inquiry into the woollen textile trades of the West Riding which presented a Report before this Government came into office? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer!"] May I ask for an answer?
§ Mr. LAWSONThe Chancellor of the Exchequer is quite familiar with these figures, and I am sure he is well able to answer for himself.