HC Deb 26 November 1931 vol 260 cc479-80
5. Mr. McGOVERN

asked the Minister of Labour the number of building trade workers unemployed on 1st November, 1931; and the weekly cost of unemployment benefit?

Sir H. BETTERTON

The number of insured persons in the building industry recorded as unemployed on the 26th October, 1931, the latest date for which statistics of unemployed by industries are available, was 205,219. Accounts are not kept of benefit or transitional payments paid in separate trades, but assuming that the average rates for men and boys apply to this trade, the approximate total cost would be £175,000 for the week.

Mr. McGOVERN

Will the Minister draw attention to this steady increase and urge that further provision for working-class houses should be made at the earliest possible moment.

Sir H. BETTERTON

As the hon. Member knows, this is a period of the year when employment in the building trade is always less brisk than in the spring and the summer.