§ 2. Sir P. HARRISasked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed men registered at the Shoreditch and Stepney Employment Exchanges; and what percentage of unemployment is represented by these figures?
Mr. HUDSONAt 19th March, 1934, there were 7,030 unemployed men, aged 18 and over, on the registers of the Shoreditch Employment Exchange and 6,600 on the registers of the Stepney Employment Exchange. I am unable to say precisely what percentages of unemployment are represented by these figures, which include all men registered at those two exchanges, irrespective of their place of residence; but it is estimated that the numbers of men resident in the Metropolitan Boroughs of Shoreditch and Stepney who were registered as unemployed at 19th March, represented 1851 approximately 17.3 per cent. and 14.4 per cent., respectively, of the total numbers of insured men resident in those areas at July, 1933.
§ Sir P. HARRISDo not these figures show that there is a very large percentage who are unemployed in the East End of London, while in other parts of Greater London there is a comparatively small percentage of unemployment; and will he bring it to the notice of his officials at the Employment Exchanges that they should try and give to these men in East London at least as much chance of getting jobs as people from outside?