HC Deb 08 December 1938 vol 342 cc1337-8
13. Mr. Malcolm MacMillan

asked the Minister of Labour what number and percentage of the insured population of the Western Isles was unemployed at the most recent convenient date?

Mr. E. Brown

The statistics on this point regularly compiled by my Department relate to insured persons recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges. The only Employment Exchange in the Western Isles is at Stornoway, in the Island of Lewis. The remaining islands are served by offices on the mainland, and separate statistics in respect of persons living on the islands are not available. At 14th November, 1938, the number of insured persons aged 16–64 (exclusive of persons within the agricultural scheme) recorded as unemployed at the Stornoway Exchange was 2,529, or 45.5 per cent. of the estimated number of insured persons at July, 1937.

Mr. MacMillan

In view of the fact that the number of the unemployed in these islands is rising, does the Minister not think it is time that arrangements were made for Employment Exchanges to be set up in the islands, in order to save these people having to go to the already overcrowded exchanges on the mainland?

Mr. Brown

I do not think that is so.

Mr. MacMillan

Does the Minister not agree that the numbers are increasing?

Mr. Brown

I agree that the numbers are high, but I should not adopt the solution which the hon. Member suggests.