§ 43. Mr. Gordon Macdonaldasked the Minister of Labour the number of insured persons employed in the cotton industry in Lancashire in July, 1931, and also at 836 the latest date on which figures are available?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe estimated number of insured persons, aged 16–64, in employment in the cotton industry in Great Britain at the end of June, 1931, as indicated by the difference between the total number insured and the number of insured persons recorded as unemployed, was 326,700. The corresponding figure for June, 1937, was 366,100. Between June, 1937, and February, 1938, there was an increase of over 50,000 in the number of persons aged 16–64 in the industry recorded as unemployed, but no information is available as to the corresponding change in the total number insured.
§ 57. Mr. Macdonaldasked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cotton mills in Lancashire that have been closed down since July, 1931?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Euan Wallace)To obtain from the reports received in connection with the annual surveys of industrial development the precise figures asked for in this question is a matter of considerable labour. Rather than give publicity to a gross figure which would cover parts of Cheshire and Derbyshire and ignore mills since re-opened, I should be grateful if the hon. Member would repeat his question next Monday.