HC Deb 03 December 1931 vol 260 cc1219-20
2. Mr. PIKE

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in the liquor industry compared to the numbers unemployed prior to the operation of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1931?

Sir H. BETTERTON

At 24th August, 1931, there were 14,654 insured persons in the drink industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain. At 26th October, 1931, the number was 16,423. This classification includes the brewing of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and the bottling of both kinds of beverages.

Mr. HANNON

Do not the figures which the right hon. Gentleman has just given to the House indicate that he ought to make representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that the Beer Duty should be modified?

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

May I ask whether these figures include barmen and barmaids?

Sir H. BETTERTON

As the hon. Member knows this is a complicated classification, and I think it would be for the convenience of hon. Members if I circulated a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

The Ministry of Labour "drink industry" classification includes the following:

The manufacture of ale, beer, wines, liqueurs, and spirits, cider, perry, aerated water, herb beers, cordials, fruit juices and syrups, lime juice, nonalcoholic ale and stout, sarsaparilla, and yeast. It also includes the bottling of these drinks, and malt and hop drying, roasting and grinding.

The statistics relating to the numbers of insured workpeople unemployed do not distinguish those engaged in the other branches of the drink industry included within this classification.