§ 27. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women, respectively, unemployed in the cotton industry in Lancashire on the latest available date?
§ Miss BONDFIELDAs the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I will, however, read the totals only, namely:
Wholly unemployed, 78,450; temporarily stopped, 126,315; total, 204,765.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYHas the Minister any information to suggest that this unemployment has been accentuated because of the delay in connection with the cotton inquiry report?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe hon. Member knows that active steps are being taken to deal with that matter.
Viscountess ASTORIs the Minister aware of the fact that some of these women will never get back into the cotton industry, and will she take steps to find them some alternative work?
§ Following is the statement:
§ Insured persons aged 16–64 classified as belonging to the cotton textile industry recorded as unemployed in the North-Western Division* at 26th May, 1930.