HC Deb 13 July 1933 vol 280 cc1221-3
8. Mr. DUNCAN GRAHAM

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners unemployed at the latest available date?

Sir H. BETTERTON

At 26th June, 1933, the number of insured persons in the coal mining industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain was 384,589, of whom 233,601 were wholly unemployed and 150,988 were temporarily stopped.

Mr. BATEY

Is that an increase or a decrease?

Sir H. BETTERTON

There is a very considerable decrease. It is a decrease as compared with a year ago, of no fewer than 40,415 and, as compared with a month ago, of no fewer than 11,097.

Mr. LAWSON

Is it not a fact that there is a considerable increase in. the wholly unemployed?

Sir H. BETTERTON

With regard to the wholly unemployed, it is a decrease also, as compared with a month ago, of 1,175. As compared with a year ago, it is an increase of 13,324.

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

is it not an actual fact that there are fewer miners working at the mines to-day than there were 12 months since?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I should like notice, if I am asked to give actual figures, because I have not got them, but probably what the hon. Member says is true. I do not dispute it.

9. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour the number of miners wholly unemployed in the county of Durham at the latest date

Sir H. BETTERTON

At 26th June, 1933, the number of insured persons in the coal-mining industry classification recorded as wholly unemployed in the county of Durham was 44,424.

Mr. BATEY

Is that an increase or a decrease?

Sir H. BETTERTON

It is a decrease, as compared with a year ago, of 3,375 and, as compared with a month ago, of 4,064.

Mr. LAWSON

Is that a decrease of 4,000 wholly unemployed?

Mr. SMITHERS

Is it not a. fact that these numbers could be considerably reduced if Part I of the Coal Mines Act were repealed?

Mr. LAWSON

I do not think the right hon. Gentleman has answered my question, which was whether he could state the number of men wholly unemployed in the county of Durham at the latest date.

Sir H. BETTERTON

The number of miners wholly unemployed in the county of Durham at the latest date was, as I have already answered, 44,424.

Mr. BATEY

Is that an increase or a decrease?

HON., MEMBERS

Order

Sir H. BETTERTON

I think, if I may say so, the lion. Member is justified in asking that question. The figures show that in the total there is a decrease of 3,375, as compared with a year ago, and of 4,064, as compared with a month ago. Now the hon. Member asks me to separate these into temporarily stopped and wholly unemployed. With regard to the tem- porarily stopped, it shows a decrease of 3,560, as compared with a month ago, and of 2,581, as compared with a year ago. With regard to the wholly unemployed, it shows a decrease of 504, as compared with a month ago, and of 794, as compared with a year ago.