§ 7. Mr. Mainwaringasked the Minister of Labour whether, in relation to the 25 per cent. reduction of the unemployment figures within the Special Areas, as mentioned in the Commissioner's report, he can state how much of this is due to death, the attainment of pensionable age, migration, the absence or reduction in temporary unemployment, and how much to increased employment within the area?
§ Mr. E. BrownIn the period from September, 1936, to September, 1937, to which the hon. Member refers, the total number of insured persons aged 16 to 64, was reduced by 6,000, and the numbers in employment increased by 63,000. The fall in the numbers temporarily stopped was 12,000 as compared with a fall of 60,000, among those wholly unemployed. It is clear, therefore, that the drop in the numbers unemployed is not attributable to the causes suggested by the hon. Member and reflects a real improvement in employment.
§ Mr. DaltonDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that, in view of the recent arithmetical mistakes in the Department we can have much confidence in all these figures?