§ 1. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Labour what is the estimate of the increase in the number of non-registered unemployed due to the means test, the Anomalies Act, and the other legislative and administrative changes since August, 1931?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIt is estimated that at 22nd February, 1932, the total number of persons who had ceased to register at Employment Exchanges after disallowance of benefit or transitional payments, was approximately 148,000, but as pointed out in the reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 11th February, it is clear that nothing approaching this number should properly be included in a total of the unemployed.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman what proportion of 438 the 148,000 it is estimated will be normally unemployed?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThat is exactly the supplementary question which the hon. Member asked before. The answer is that a very considerable number have found employment and the balance must be considered as not wanting the benefit and advantages of the Exchanges.
§ Mr. BUCHANANCan the right hon. Gentleman state what percentage, if any, of the figure is due to the working of the Anomalies Act as applied to seasonal workers?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe Anomalies Act, I would remind the hon. Member, was passed by the last Government. I cannot give the percentage which the lion. Member wants without notice.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs it not the case that at least a number of these people are affected and that they were deliberately put off under the Anomalies Act?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONCertainly, a number were put off by reason of the Anomalies Act.