HC Deb 18 May 1933 vol 278 cc498-9
7. Mr. CHARLES BROWN

asked the Minister of Labour the number of hosiery workers totally unemployed and temporarily stopped on the register of the Employment Exchanges at Nottingham, HuckNail, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Mansfield in January, 1933, and April, 1933, respectively?

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:

who, owing to continued unemployment, will lapse from insurance and be disentitled to medical benefit at the end of December, 1933?

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Hilton Young)

In reply to both questions I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of the 4th April to the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne (Sir R. Aske).

Mr. LIDDALL

In view of the fact that in the city of LinColn alone 1,000 persons will be affected, will the right hon. Gentleman further consider this question?

Sir H. YOUNG

No, Sir, I have nothing to add to the previous answer.

Mr. BUCHANAN

In view of the extremely large numbers affected, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole question between now and the end of the year?

Sir H. YOUNG

I must remind the hon. Member that these matters were fully debated during the passage of the National Health Insurance Act last year.

Mr. MAXTON

But was the House then fully aware of the social consequences of what it was doing; and will the right hon. Gentleman now try to get us out of the difficulty into which we got then?

Sir H. YOUNG

Great pains were taken during the passage of that Act to put the House into possession of all the facts.

Mr. LOGAN

Is it not possible for the Minister to issue Regulations with regard to this matter?

Sir H. YOUNG

That would be contrary to the terms of the Act.