§ 16. Mr. HAMILTON KERRasked the Minister of Labour if he can make any statement as to the nature and extent of the diminution in unemployment in Lancashire during the past month?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONSeparate figures for Lancashire are not available. In the North-Western Division as a whole, which includes Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumberland and Westmorland, there was a net decrease between 25th January and 22nd February, 1932, of 20,380 in the number of insured persons recorded as unemployed. There was a decrease of 12,400 in the cotton industry, 1,829 in coal mining, 1,394 in the building industry and 1,343 in textile bleaching, dyeing, and finishing.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in view of the fact that so many cases of unemploy- 437 ment claims are being turned down, the register itself is not a correct indication of the number of unemployed?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, I do not accept that for a moment, because, if persons have not registered at the Exchange, the inference is that they have either got work or that they do not want the assistance of the Exchange in getting work.
§ Mr. DAVIESWill the right hon. Baronet answer the question whether unemployment is increasing or otherwise in Lancashire, apart altogether from giving figures with regard to the number of persons on the register?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI have answered the question on the Paper. I have said that the number recorded as unemployed has decreased this month by 20,300.
§ Mr. LAWSONIs it not an admitted fact that that is just one of the areas where people who are turned down from unemployment benefit do not register—that is, married women?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, the inference that I draw is that it is just one of the areas where I am glad to say employment has increased and unemployment has diminished.