HC Deb 21 April 1932 vol 264 cc1613-4
1. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons now employed in Lancashire on schemes of work for which Government grants have been made on 31st March, 1932, or nearest available date, giving the numbers employed on the same date for 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1931?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

Numbers of men employed in Lancashire on schemes of work for which Government grants had been made:

31st March, 1928 … … 3,682
23rd March, 1928 … … 2,722
28th March, 1930 … … 8,447
27th March, 1931 … … 14,294
18th March, 1932 … … 8,370

The figures include the total numbers employed under the schemes in connection with the construction of the Mersey Tunnel, which operate in both Lancashire and Cheshire, separate figures for Lancashire not being available. For 1928 and 1929 the figures are exclusive of certain schemes of a value of less than £10,000.

2. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Minister of Labour the amount of money paid in Lancashire through the public assistance committee in the county area, boroughs, and cities, respectively?

Mr. HUDSON

I presume the hon. Member has in mind the amount of transitional payments made at Employment Exchanges on determinations received from public assistance authorities. Separate figures for county and county borough areas are not available, but the average amount paid weekly in respect of transitional payments at local offices of the Ministry in the county of Lancashire for the four weeks ended 21st March, 1932, was approximately £120,000.

3. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Minister of Labour the number of building trade workers in Lancashire who were unemployed on 31st March, 1932, or nearest available date, giving the numbers unemployed on the same date for 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1931?

Mr. HUDSON

The numbers of insured persons in the building industry classification recorded as unemployed in Lancashire were 11,511 at 26th March, 1928, 14,631 at 25th March, 1929, 19,550 at 24th March, 1930, 24,133 at 23rd March, 1931, and 25,757 at 21st March, 1932.