§ 7 and 8. Major MILNERasked the Minister of Labour (1) if he will give, as on the latest convenient date, the numbers registered as unemployed for a year or more, with the comparable figures as on the latest convenient date prior to the 24th August, 1931:
(2) if he will give the total numbers registered as permanently unemployed as on the latest convenient date with the comparable figures at the end of August, 1931?
§ Major MILNERSurely the hon. Gentleman can give us some figures? In Question No. 7 I only ask for two figures; may I have those figures?
Mr. HUDSONThe reply is very long in order to explain the figures. I will read it if the hon. and gallant Member so desires.
§ Major MILNERWill the hon. Gentleman give the effect?
Mr. HUDSONI will read the answer.
At 21st November, 1932, out of a total of 2,489,000 claimants on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain, the last spell of registered unemployment had lasted for 12 months or more in 458;890 cases. The only date in 1931 for which an analysis on this basis is available is 2nd February, when an investigation by sample was made. At that date, out of approximately 2,382,000 claimants, it is estimated that about 120,000 had been unemployed for 12 months or more. Corresponding figures are not available in respect of persons on the register who had no claim for benefit or transitional payment. I am unable to say how many persons are permanently unemployed. If the hon. and gallant Member wishes to know the number described as "wholly unemployed," the figure was 2,189,258 on 21st November, 1932, and 1,958,395 on 24th August, 1931. This description, however, merely means that the persons concerned were, on the day of the return, definitely out of a situation, however long or however short their subsequent unemployment may prove to be.
§ Major MILNERArising out of the first part of the answer, may I ask if the House is to understand that there is an actual increase of 320,000, between February, 1931, and the present date, in the number of those who have been unemployed for a, year or more?
Mr. HUDSONNo, Sir. I have pointed out that last year there were no corresponding figures available. This year, the larger figure that I have given includes information in respect of persons on the register who had no claim to benefit or transitional payment.
§ Major MILNERWhat are the Government going to do about this situation Are they going to plan forward? Can the hon. Gentleman tell us?
§ Mr. LAWSONIs the House to take it that the personnel of this standing army is growing at an alarming rate?
§ 9. Major MILNERasked the Minister of Labour file numbers registered as unemployed in the City of Leeds as on the latest convenient date, with the comparable figures for the end of August, 1931?
Mr. HUDSONThe numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment. Exchanges in Leeds were 42,153 at 24th August, 1931, and 41,128 at 21st November, 1932.
§ Major MILNERHow does it come about that there is that increase?
§ Major MILNERI meant "decrease."
§ 11. Mr. BATEYasked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women registering as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges in Durham County, including the boroughs, for the last available Saturday in November, 1929, 1930, 1931, and 1932, or the nearest comparable available day?
Mr. HUDSONAs the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
| Numbers of unemployed men and women on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the County of Durham. | |||
| Date. | Men. | Women. | |
| 25th November, 1929 | … | 58,168 | 4,323 |
| 24th November, 1930 | … | 112,567 | 7,814 |
| 30th November, 1931 | … | 136,800 | 8,379 |
| 21st November, 1932 | … | 161,223 | 8,836 |