§ 23. Mr. Burkeasked the Minister of Labour how many persons in Burnley have been registered as unemployed for 12 months or more; and how many cotton operatives in Burnley were registered as unemployed on 22nd January, 1938, and. on a similar date in January, 1937?
§ Mr. E. BrownAt 14th February, 1938, 1,652 persons had been continuously on the registers of the Burnley Employment Exchange as applicants for unemployment benefit or allowances for 12 months or more. A proportion of these persons 570 had one or more short spells of employment, lasting not more than three days each, during that period. Corresponding figures are not available for persons registered as unemployed who were not applying for benefit or allowances. The numbers of insured persons, aged 14–64 in the cotton industry at Burnley, recorded as unemployed at 17th January, 1938, and at 25th January, 1937, were 6,593 and 3,417 respectively.
§ Mr. BurkeIn view of the two last figures, which show that the number of cotton operatives unemployed have doubled, will the right hon. Gentleman bring the figures to the attention of his colleague at the Board of Trade and press him to take some action to stop the slump in cotton?
§ 24. Mr. Burkeasked the Minister of Labour whether he will explain why some 40 Army reservists drawing unemployment assistance pay at the Burnley Exchange have been informed that from 1st April they must suffer reductions equal to 2s. per week; and whether he will, in view of the many recent improvements in pay and conditions of the Army, take steps to prevent this reduction?
§ Mr. R. GibsonWill the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that there are 21 of these men in Greenock?
§ Mr. BurkeIn view of the statement on 10th March that a concession was to be given to reservists, will the right hon. Gentleman see that they get a concession, because a reduction of 2s. is not a concession.