HC Deb 01 March 1934 vol 286 c1274
10. Mr. MITCHESON

asked the Minister of Labour if he can furnish an estimate as to the percentage of the total number of employed persons who are members of trade unions and, for comparison, an estimate of the maximum percentage at any time together with the date to which the latter estimate relates?

Sir H. BETTERTON

It is estimated that of the total employé population excluding employers, directors and managers, and persons working on their own account, but including those unemployed, nearly one-fourth were members of trade unions in 1932 (the latest date for which data are available) as compared with rather less than one-half in 1920 (the year in which the number of trade union members reached its highest level). The information in my possession does not enable me to state what percentages of the total number of persons actually in employment were members of trade unions at these dates.