§ 16. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour whether the drop in the number of insured persons in the woollen and worsted industry from 268,230 in June, 1923, to 232,580 in June, 1932, is due to any special circumstances apart from the present industrial depression; and whether, in view of the increase during the same period of the number of unemployed in this industry from 18,488 to 62,810, any special steps to help this industry are being considered?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONAbout 9,000 of the decrease is due to the exclusion of persons aged 65 and over, but otherwise the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the latter part of the question, I would point out that unemployment in the industry 1322 decreased by nearly 39,000 between September, 1931, and February, 1933.
§ Mr. LUNNAre there any special circumstances that the right hon. Baronet could give as the cause of this small number being employed, and what is the Government doing to encourage employment in this industry?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONIn the last 18 months the amount of unemployment has decreased by no less than 39,000.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Baronet give any idea of the cause of the colossal increase of unemployment in the textile industries? Does he attribute that to lack of spending power on the part of the workers
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot go into questions of that kind.