§ 4. Mr. McGOVERNasked the Minister of Labour the number of building trade workers who were unemployed on 1st April, 1932, and the number on 1st April, 1930 and 1931; and the present weekly cost of unemployment benefit?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe number of insured workpeople in the building industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain was 241,706 at 21st March, 1932; 181,931 at 23rd March, 1931; and 128,248 at 24th March, 1930. 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 cost in March, 1932, would be £190,000 a week.