HC Deb 15 February 1934 vol 285 cc2072-3
31. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons described as engaged in gainful occupations, including those unemployed at the moment, recorded at the Census of 1931, distinguishing separately males and females; and what increase has occurred as compared with 1921?

Sir H. YOUNG

Persons aged 14 and over enumerated in England and Wales at the 1931 Census as following a gainful occupation, including those out of work, amounted to 13,247,333 males and 5,606,043 females. The corresponding figures for 1921 were 12,069,331 males and 5,036,727 females, and there was an increase from 1921 to 1931 of 1,178,002 males and 569,316 females.

Mr. MABANE

Is it possible for the Minister to give these figures as a percentage of the total population?

Sir H. YOUNG

It is possible, but it would take time.

Mr. MANDER

Could not all this information be obtained from published blue books?

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that the most recent number of the Statistical Abstract does not give these figures, and that the figures for the various occupations have not yet been published?