HC Deb 06 November 1930 vol 244 cc1009-10
12. Mr. HAMMERSLEY

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the cotton-spinning industry during each month of the current year

Miss BONDFIELD

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. HAMMERSLEY

Will the right hon. Lady tell me whether the figures for the last month, compared with the figures for the previous month, bear out the suggestion that there has been any reduction in the amount of unemployment?

Miss BONDFIELD

I can read the two last lines of figures. In the card and blowing room section, on 25th August, the numbers were 5,097 men and 26,501 women, and on 22nd September, 5,391 men and 25,515 women, so that in that section there is obviously a reduction. In the spinning section the comparable figures are: 25th August, 28,576 men and 21,826 women, 22nd September, 28,193 men and 21,656 women. There has been in those cases a reduction.

Mr. HAMMERSLEY

On the whole, would it be true to say that there has been no reduction in the last month?

Miss BONDFIELD

On the contrary, there has been a reduction.

Following is the reply:

Statistics are not available showing the total numbers unemployed in all sections of the cotton spinning industry taken as a whole. The following table, however, shows the numbers of men and women classified as card and blowing room operatives, and cotton spinning department workers on the registers of Employment Exchanges in 57 of the principal cotton trade centres towards the end of each month from January to September of the current year.

Date. Card and Blowing Room. Spinning.
Men. Women. Men. Women.
27.1.30 2,214 12,228 13,725 11,297
24.2.30 2,676 15,456 16,430 13,426
24.3.30 2,929 17,367 18,437 14,455
28.4.30 2,733 18,462 19,925 15,963
26.5.30 4,500 24,959 25,985 20,297
23.6.30 4,948 26,030 26,961 22,418
21.7.30 4,993 26,903 29,658 22,447
25.8.30 5,097 26,501 28,576 21,826
22.9.30 5,391 25,515 28,193 21,656
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