HC Deb 11 March 1937 vol 321 cc1307-8
9. Mr. Acland

asked the Minister of Labour what was the percentage of unemployment among workers insured under the Agricultural Unemployment Insurance Act in January; and now many days must usually elapse between the conclusion of any month and the day on which he is in a position to state what has been the percentage of such unemployment during that month?

Mr. E. Brown

Statistics showing the numbers of insured agricultural workers recorded as unemployed are compiled in respect of one day in each month, and are regularly published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette." I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the February issue, in which the available information as to the numbers and percentages recorded as unemployed at 25th January is given on page 65. Under present practice the date to which the statistics relate is normally the third or fourth Monday in each month, and the figures are usually available 15 days after that date.

Mr. H. G. Williams

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to make this journal a Parliamentary publication, so that it will no longer be necessary for Members to ask questions in order to obtain information?

Mr. Brown

I think that has been considered before, but I will look into it again.