HC Deb 30 June 1938 vol 337 cc2099-100
22. Mr. Davidson

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed in Scotland for the years ended March, 1937 and 1938, respectively?

Mr. E. Brown

The average numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Scotland in the years ended March, 1937, and March, 1938, were 265,935 and 241,820, respectively.

Mr. Davidson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that along with this small decrease in the registered unemployed, we have a considerable increase in the number of people on Poor Law relief, and will he—

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member is asking for figures, and the Minister has given them.

Mr. Davidson

On a point of Order. May I submit to you that the Poor Law relief figures, to which I was referring, relate very much to people registered on the unemployment books who go from there to local relief and if you had allowed me to finish my supplementary question I think I could have shown that it was perfectly in order?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member asked the Minister to state the number of unemployed, and the Minister gave the number.