HC Deb 17 March 1938 vol 333 cc564-5
4. Mr. Tomlinson

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of unemployed persons on the register at 30th June, 1937, and at 31st January, 1938, in the Blackburn, Preston, and Bolton areas?

Mr. E. Brown

As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Tomlinson

In finding out these figures has the right hon. Gentleman discovered whether the recession in the cotton trade in Lancashire has gone far enough to be described as a slump?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman when he sees the figures will talk to me again about the matter.

Following is the statement:

Table showing the numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the Blackburn, Preston and Bolton areas at 21st June, 1937, and at 14th February, 1938.

— 21st June, 1937. 14th February, 1938.*
Blackburn … 10,118 15,435
Preston … 5,224 9,468
Bolton … 7,216 13,346
* The figures for 14th February, 1938, have been compiled in accordance with the revised procedure for counting the unemployed, introduced in September, 1937, under which persons subsequently found to be in employment at the date of the count are excluded from the figures.