6. Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the Minister of Labour the total number of registered persons unemployed in Scotland for the years ended March, 1930 and 1938, respectively?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe average numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Scotland in the years ended March, 1930, and March, 1938, were 162,206 and 241,820, respectively.
Mr. DavidsonIn view of the increase, will the right hon. Gentleman make these figures known to local authorities in Scotland who are talking about a decrease of unemployment?
§ Mr. BrownThe figures are well known. The hon. Member has choosen two years and I have answered with regard to them, but there are other years besides 1930 and 1938.
Mr. DavidsonIn view of the fact that in seven out of these eight years we have had a National Government with an overwhelming majority, does the right hon. Gentleman think that it reflects credit en them?
7. Mr. Davidsonasked the Minister of Labour the total number of registered unemployed persons in Glasgow at the last available date?
§ Mr. BrownAt 4th April, 1938, there were 79,116 unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Glasgow.
Mr. DavidsonIs that 79,000 registered unemployed, together with the huge increase in Poor Law relief in this city, an indication of the Minister's opinion of prosperity?
§ Mr. BrownI am not venturing an opinion now, but a comparison between that year and previous years is not unfavourable to Glasgow.
Mr. DavidsonIs the Minister aware that speeches have recently been made indicating that the country is enjoying a state of prosperity—
§ Mr. Speakerrose—
8. Mr. Davidsonasked the Minister of Labour what representations he has recently received from Scottish local authorities with regard to the operation of the Unemployment Acts; and whether he has any statement to make?
§ Mr. BrownI am not aware of any recent representations other than the communication from the Distressed Areas Conference, to which I referred in a reply to the hon. Member for Everton (Mr. Kirby) on 28th April. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me know what he has in mind.
Mr. DavidsonIs the Minister aware that local authorities in Scotland have circularised Members of this House and of local bodies indicating that they are entirely dissatisfied with the attitude of the Minister of Labour?
§ Mr. BrownThat is a different question. I am asked whether they have made representations to me, and the answer is "No."
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is another question.
§ Mr. SpeakerI would remind the hon. Member that there are a large number of questions on the Paper.
Mr. DavidsonBut this is not a question; it is a point of Order. I made a statement that I as a Member of the 1686 House had received a circular from the Scottish local authorities indicating that they have met the Minister of Labour and are dissatisfied with his misrepresentations. The Minister has indicated that that is not so. I merely asked him in a supplementary—
§ Mr. SpeakerNo point of Order arises.