8. Earl WINTERTONasked the Minister of Labour what are the latest 1123 figures of unemployment in Germany as published from official sources; and what percentage those figures bear to the industrial population and the total population of Germany, respectively?
§ Miss BONDFIELDOn 31st March, 1931, the latest date for which figures are available, the total number of per-, sons recorded as unemployed by the official Employment Exchanges in Germany was 4,756,000. This total includes manual and non-manual workers normally employed in agriculture, forestry, fishery, commerce, entertainment and domestic service as well as manual and non-manual workers normally employed in industry and transport. The total of 4,756,000 unemployed represents about 7 per cent. of the total population, and is equal to about 22 or 23 per cent. of the total employé population.
§ Sir H. BETTERTONDoes that include partly as well as wholly unemployed in Germany?
§ Miss BONDFIELDIt includes the official figures. Our part-time area is wider than that of Germany, but some part-time is in these figures.
Earl WINTERTONIn view of the constant quotation by Members of the Government and others of these figures, could the Minister in future from time to time publish these figures of unemployment, together with the percentages, as asked for in the question?
§ Miss BONDFIELDCertainly, but I think they are published monthly in the Ministry of Labour Gazette.
§ Mr. STRAUSSWould the Minister give the figures in regard to England, corresponding to the 7 per cent. and the 23 per cent.?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am afraid that the 23 per cent. is parallel to the 21 per cent. in this country.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELWill the Minister give the figures showing the percentage of unemployment in the industrial population of Germany and this country respectively, excluding the agricultural population?
§ Miss BONDFIELDYes. I understand there are 25 per cent. if you exclude those categories.
§ Mr. McSHANEWith regard to the original reply, is it not true also that there is a considerable number receiving national relief as distinct from unemployment benefit, who are not included in the figures at all?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe figure given here is the official figure of the total number of unemployed, whether they are receiving relief from insurance or in any other form.
§ 9. Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLAND (for Sir ASSHETON POWNALL)asked the Minister of Labour what is the total amount contributed by the German Government towards unemployment insurance during the most recent 12 months for which figures are available.
§ Miss BONDFIELDI am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDWill the Minister of Labour inquire at the same time whether there is any increase in debt in addition to the contributions?
§ Miss BONDFIELDCertainly.