§ 60 and 61. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Labour (1) the latest figures for unemployment in the north-eastern division; and the decrease or increase as compared with last month;
(2) the latest figures for unemployment among miners in the north-eastern divi- 1716 sion and the comparison with the numbers for the previous month?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAt 25th April, 1932, there were 579,442 persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the north-eastern division, an increase of 38,625 as compared with 21st March. The number of insured persons in the coalmining industry classification recorded as unemployed in that division at 25th April was 135,998, an increase of 28,563 as compared with 21st March. In both cases the increase was almost wholly among persons temporarily stopped.
§ Mr. LAWSONMay I ask the Leader of the House whether he is aware that in the North of England the view is held that the Government's policy is responsible for this situation, and, if the lamentable figures—[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is now putting the same question as he put before.
§ Mr. LAWSONWith all due deference, I did not get an answer to my question. The situation is lamentable—
§ HON. MEMBERS: Speech!
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must remind the hon. Member that this is not the time for speeches.
§ Mr. LAWSONMay I ask the Leader of the House whether the Government are going to give special attention to this question in view of this month's figures?
§ The LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL (Mr. Baldwin)I need hardly assure the hon. Member that this question is causing the greatest concern to the Government and that they have it in mind all the time.