§ 9. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Labour what reduction, if any, has taken place in the numbers of registered unemployed since October, 1931, and how many of these have obtained employment?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONBetween 28th September, 1931, and 21st December, 1931, the number of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain decreased by 314,851, and it is estimated that of this number about 225,000 was accounted for by improvement in employment.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDoes that mean that 200,000 have been found employment since the Government took office?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. The answer I have given is the answer to the question, and it states that between September and December last year it is estimated that 225,000 were accounted for by the improvement in employment.