28. Captain P. MAGDONALDasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of any special circumstances to which the recent increases in the numbers of the unemployed can be attributed?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. J. H. Thomas)Yes, Sir; one of the most important contributory causes is the uncertainty caused by the world-wide fall in the price of raw materials. Evidence of this is to be found in the recent heavy increase in unemployment in the cotton textile industry, which I regret to say is still continuing.
Captain MACDONALDDoes the right hon. Gentleman share the view expressed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer recently that this increase in unemployment is due to an organised conspiracy on the part of the business world?