HC Deb 22 May 1930 vol 239 cc557-9
3. Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND (for Sir A. POWNALL)

asked the Minister of Labour if she has any information as to the amount of unemployment now existing in Germany and the United States of America?

tion; but the "not genuinely seeking work" condition has disappeared and is not in operation at all, while the "not normally in insurable employment" condition remains as one of the statutory conditions.

Mr. STEPHEN

I desire to give notice that, in view of the unsatisfactory position in which this matter has been left, I shall take the first opportunity of raising the question on the Adjournment.

Following is the table:

Miss BONDFIELD

As the reply is somewhat long, I will circulate it, if I may, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

Information with regard to these and other countries is given on page 183 of the current issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette. In Germany at the end of March the number of workpeople registered at the Employment Exchanges as unemployed was reported to be approximately 3,041,000. Among the members of trade unions nearly 22 per cent. were totally unemployed at that time and in addition over 12½ per cent. were working short time.

Statistics of unemployment are not compiled officially in the United States. The American Federation of Labour report that, according to returns received from trade unions in a number of cities, 21 per cent. of the membership were unemployed at the beginning of March, 1930. In the building trades the proportion unemployed is given as 42 per cent., in the printing trade 6 per cent., in the metal trades 19 per cent., and in all other trades 12 per cent. In view of the relatively small number of work-people covered it is doubtful how far the percentages shown may be relied upon as a measure of unemployment generally in that country. The official index of employment in manufacturing industries in the United States stood at 89.8 in March, 1930, as compared with a monthly average of 100 for 1926. The index has shown a decline of nearly 9 per cent. since March, 1929.