HC Deb 16 June 1932 vol 267 c509
3. Mr. COCKS

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has any means of ascertaining the number of workers thrown out of work through the introduction of labour-saving machinery: and, if so, whether he can give an estimate of the approximate number of persons at present unemployed through this cause?

Sir H. BETTERTON

No statistics are available on this subject, and I am afraid that it would be impracticable to obtain information sufficiently comprehensive and reliable for the purposes even of an approximate estimate.

Mr. COCKS

Has the right hon. Gentleman any suggestion for dealing with this problem?

Sir H. BETTERTON

That is a question that I could not possibly answer in reply to a supplementary question.