HC Deb 06 May 1930 vol 238 c743
11. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many men have gained employment by reason of the activities of his Department?

Mr. THOMAS

As regards the numbers employed on unemployment relief works, I would refer the Noble Lord to the White Paper recently issued, and to the reply which I gave on the 29th April to the hon. Members for Willesden, East (Mr. D. G. Somerville), and for Moseley (Mr. Hannon), a copy of which I am sending him. As was stated in the White Paper, however, the promotion and assistance of these works forms only one aspect of the Government's unemployment policy. It is to the increased provision of ordinary industrial employment through the revival of our trade and industry that the Government attach primary importance. The Government are taking all possible steps to stimulate that revival, but it is not possible to state the result of their efforts in terms of numbers given employment or numbers kept from unemployment.

Viscount WOLMER

Does the right hon. Gentleman still say that this Government will be judged by their record in regard to unemployment?

Mr. THOMAS

I not only say that, but, when I look back on what took place under the last Government, I am quite happy in saying it.

Viscount WOLMER

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the unemployment figures of a year ago?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Can my right hon. Friend give an estimate of what the extra number of unemployment would have been if this Government had not been in office?