HC Deb 08 December 1938 vol 342 cc1335-6
8. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state, taking the latest available date as a basis, the percentage of registered workers unemployed in Shoreditch; and in what other London boroughs this percentage was exceeded?

Mr. E. Brown

At 14th November, 1938, the percentage rate of unemployment among insured persons, aged 16 to 64, resident in the mteropolitan borough of Shoreditch was 12.4; this figure was exceeded in the metropolitan boroughs of Southwark (with 13.3 per cent.) and Stoke Newington (with 14.2 per cent.).

9. Mr. Thurtle

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in Shoreditch at the end of October, 1936, and the corresponding figures for October of the present year?

Mr. Brown

At 26th October, 1936, approximately 3,370 insured persons, aged 16 to 64 resident in the metropolitan borough of Shoreditch were recorded as unemployed. The corresponding figure for 17th October, 1938, was 4,590.

Mr. Thurtle

Is not the right hon. Gentleman disturbed by this large increase of unemployment in a typical East-end borough, and is he doing anything about it?

Mr. Brown

I am always glad to see the figures go down and I regret when they go up. We are always trying to lessen unemployment, as the facts show.