28. Mr. Davidsonasked the Minister of Labour the total number of persons in Scotland classified as being in insurable employment for the years ended May, 1933 and 1938, respectively?
§ Mr. E. BrownEstimates of the number of insured persons are available only in respect of the beginning of July of each year. The estimated number of insured persons in Scotland at the beginning of July, 1932, was 1,340,310; the number of such persons recorded as unemployed at 22nd May, 1933, was 351,217. At July, 1937, the corresponding total of insured persons (exclusive of juveniles under 16 years of age and of persons within the agricultural scheme, who were not insurable against unemployment in 1932) was 1,398,480; the number of such persons unemployed at 16th May, 1938, was 228,119.
Mr. DavidsonIn view of the increase in the number of insurable employés in Scotland, does the Minister agree that in future the actual numbers of unemployed should be given instead of percentages, which may give rise to a certain amount of misrepresentation?
§ Mr. BrownI am always prepared to give the House all my information. My recollection is that when we produce the returns monthly, we give figures and not percentages.
Mr. DavidsonIs the Minister aware that in speeches in this House he tends to use percentages instead of figures?