HC Deb 10 September 1931 vol 256 cc267-8
3. Mr. OSWALD LEWIS

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons registered as unemployed on 1st June, 1929, and on 31st July, 1931, or on the nearest convenient dates?

Sir H. BETTERTON

At 3rd June, 1929, there were 1,100,125 persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. The number at 27th July, 1931, was 2,713,350.

Mr. LEWIS

Do not the records of the Ministry of Labour show that so great an increase has never occurred before under any other Government, except the Labour Government?

Mr. COCKS

Are not those figures a reflection on the gold standard?