§ 9. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour whether the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee, in arriving at their conclusions as to the probable level of unemployment for the eight-year period, 1936 to 1943, made any estimate of the number of men displaced by the mechanisation of industry, either annually or for a longer period; and what is the estimate of workpeople so displaced?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe statutory committee have given no such estimate in their reports.
§ Mr. GriffithsCan the committee really estimate the probable number of unemployed in 1943 without making an estimate of the number who will be displaced?
§ Mr. BrownThat is rather a different point. The hon. Member raises a precise issue, and it may be difficult to disentangle it from any other factors.
§ Mr. GriffithsSurely the committee which has to advise the Government as to the probable number of unemployed in 1943 must have taken into account an important element of this kind?