HC Deb 30 June 1937 vol 325 cc1967-8
59. Captain Balfour

asked the Minister of Labour the number of able-bodied unemployed in the Shoreditch area on 24th August, 1931, as compared with 24th August, 1936?

The Minister of Labour (Mr. Ernest Brown)

At 17th August, 1931, there were 5,664 unemployed persons resident in the Metropolitan Borough of Shore-ditch, on the registers of Employment Exchanges; in August, 1936, the number was 2,762.

Captain Balfour

While I am not trying to score any political point, may I ask the Minister whether the publication of these figures will not give great satisfaction in Shoreditch; and whether it will not be agreed by many that the day in 1931 which saw the fall of the Labour Government, of which the hon. Member for Shoreditch (Mr. Thurtle) was a member, was really a happy day for the workers?

Mr. Brown

I have no doubt that the whole population of Shoreditch will find great comfort in these figures.

Mr. Davidson

Can the Minister of Labour also give the figures of Poor Law relief for this area?

Mr. Brown

Yes, if the hon. Member will put down a question.

Mr. Bellenger

May I ask whether it is in accordance with the traditions of this House, for hon. Members to seek to make propaganda in the form of questions?