HC Deb 07 July 1931 vol 254 cc1912-3
60. Mr. BUCHANAN

asked the Minister of Labour if she can state the total number of persons engaged in week-end printing and only working for this period, and the average weekly income?

Mr. LAWSON

Statistics giving the information desired are not available.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the fact that this question is to be discussed to-morrow and that the figures are very necessary for that discussion, cannot the hon. Member make an effort to give us some valuable guide on this question?

Mr. LAWSON

It is one thing to have the statistics concerning temporary unemployment, but it is another matter to get the figures disentangled.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the fact that this question is likely to involve a very important principle with regard to to-morrow's Debate, is it not necessary that the House should be informed of the figures relating to the question?

Mr. LAWSON

I do not think that is at all necessary, but, as indicating that the Department is just as anxious to have these figures as the hon. Member, we are doing our best to disentangle them from the figures of the temporarily unemployed. That is not easy.