§ 10. Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Labour if she can state the number of persons ordinarily engaged in the chain-making industry in Staffordshire who are now out of employment; and whether she is taking any measures to provide employment for these workers in other industries?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe only figures available relate to wholly unemployed men and women on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Staffordshire who 333 were applicants for work in anchor and chain making. Separate figures for chain making are not available nor do the figures include persons temporarily stopped. On this basis the total for Staffordshire at 22nd December, 1930, was 65, including 55 men and 10 women. The total for Worcestershire was 288, including 256 men and 32 women. Steps are taken through the Employment Exchanges to bring to the notice of these workpeople opportunities of employment in their own or other industries for which they may be suitable.
§ Mr. HANNONIn view of the fact that during the last few years this most interesting industry in Staffordshire has been almost destroyed by unfair foreign competition, what steps do the Government propose to take to safeguard it?