HC Deb 02 March 1933 vol 275 cc520-2
9. Mr. HOLDSWORTH

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons employed in the woollen and worsted textile industry on the following dates: 1st July, 1914, 1st July, 1931, 1st July, 1932, and the latest date for which figures are available?

Sir H. BETTERTON

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

Following is the statement:

I should like my hon. Friend to look at the Memorandum, of which I am sending him a, copy. He will see from it that a, man who finds a job for himself does not require a "green card" except for certain relief works to which special conditions apply, and that such difficulties as have arisen have been usually due to foremen promising jobs on relief work to men who were not eligible.

Mr. CROOKE

Is it not the case that a man seeks and gets a job and is told to obtain a green card from the Employment Exchange, and, when he gets there they say: "This job is going, but we must give it to someone else, not to you"?

Sir H. BETTERTON

I do not think that accurately represents the present situation, but in any case this Memorandum, which I drew up largely in consequence of the facts which are mentioned in the question, meets the paint the hon. Member has in mind.

Mr. CROOKE

If it does not meet the point, will my right hon. Friend receive a deputation of Members of this House regarding this matter

Sir H. BETTERTON

I am always ready to receive deputations of Members of the House.

Mr. GRAHAM WHITE

Is it not the case that the difficulty arises largely owing to the fact that many foremen adopt the procedure of telling men to go away and get green cards in order to get rid of them?

Determinations by the Public Assistance Committee for the county borough of Birmingham on applications for transitional payments between 5th December, 1932, and 4th February, 1933.
— Initial applications. Renewals and Revisions. Total.
Payment allowed at maximum benefit rates 1,285 9 753 11,038
Payment allowed at lower rates 1,371 11,553 12,924
Needs of applicants held not to justify payment. 1,214 1,204 2,418
Total number of applications 3,870 22,510 26,380
23. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Minister of Labour how many cases of transitional payments have been dealt with by the public assistance committee in the Wigan employment area since January, 1932, up to the latest available date; in how many cases have full benefits been allowed; in how many cases partial bene

Determinations by the Public Assistance Committee for the County Borough of Wigan on applications for Transitional Payments between 25th January, 1932, and 4th February, 1933.
— Initial Applications. Renewals and Revisions. Total.
Payment allowed at maximum benefit rates 2,352 23,483 25,835
Payment allowed at lower rates 1,056 10,102 11,158
Needs of application held not to justify payment 525 430 955
Total number of applications 3,933 34,015 37,948

24. Dr. JOHN WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Labour the number of claims for transitional benefit in the Wales divi

Sir H. BETTERTON

The hon. Gentleman has just stated what is the real difficulty in the matter. I think that is quite true.