HC Deb 02 March 1933 vol 275 cc518-9
4 Mr. LAWSON

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of unemployed on the register for Dewsbury on 25th January, 1932, and 25th January, 1933;

(2) the number of unemployed on the register for Newcastle for 25th January, 1932, and 25th January, 1933, respectively;

(3) the number of unemployed on the register for Gateshead on 25th January, 1932, and 25th January, 1933?

Sir H. BETTERTON

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. LAWSON

Why is the right hon. Gentleman taking that course, when he can give details to other Members of the House?

Sir H. BETTERTON

Because the hon. Member asks substantially the same question for the three different cases, but I will certainly give the information at once. The places he asks about are Dewsbury, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and Gateshead. In Dewsbury, on 25th January, 1932, there were 4,269 on the registers, and on the 23rd January, 1933, there were 5,339; in Newcastle-on-Tyne on the 25th January, 1932, there were 33,257, and on the 23rd January, 1933, 35,322; and in Gateshead on the 25th January, 1932, there were 13,698, and on the 23rd January, 1933, 14,378.

Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

Will my right hon. Friend say whether these figures are contained in the monthly index which his Department prepares, and whether a copy of that index is now in the Library, and in these circumstances whether it is necessary for these questions to be put on the Order Paper?

Mr. LAWSON

Is it not a fact that the same observation applies to all the questions asked previously?

COMPARABLE STATISTICS of the numbers of insured persons in the various industries are not available for any year prior to 1923. The following table gives figures in respect of the woollen and worsted industry in Great Britain for the end of June in the years 1923, 1931 and 1932. the last-mentioned being the latest date for which they al e available.
— Aged 16 years and over. Aged 16 and under 65.
25th June, 1923. 22nd June, 1931. 27th June, 1932.
1.Estimated numbers insured 268,230 237,750 232,580
2. Insured persons recorded as unemployed. 18,488 78,581 62,910
Difference between 1 and 2 249,742 159,169 169,670