HC Deb 06 March 1930 vol 236 c617
8. Mr. HACKING

asked the Minister of Labour the general effect upon the local unemployment figures in the districts to which migration has taken place on account of the working of the system of industrial transference?

Miss BONDFIELD

The number of men transferred from the depressed areas is regulated by the absorptive capacity of the receiving districts. The general effect of transference on the figures of unemployment in those districts is therefore negligible.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Did not the right hon. Lady say that this effect was not negligible a little while ago? When did she discover that it was negligible?

Mr. HACKING

Were the fears of the Government when they were in opposition groundless?