§ 14. Mr. Kirbyasked the Minister of Labour how many men and boys were registered as unemployed in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing trades on Merseyside on 31st December last; and how such figures compare with 31st December, 1937?
§ Mr. E. BrownAt 12th December, 1938, 4,678 insured men, aged 18–64, and 145 insured boys, aged 14–17, in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry classification were recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in the Merseyside area. The corresponding figures for 13th December, 1937, were 4,443 men and 154 boys.
§ Mr. KirbyCan the Minister explain how it is that there is not a more apparent reduction in the number of unemployed, having in mind the work on rearmament, equipment of the Navy, and so on?
§ 15. Mr. Kirbyasked the Minister of Labour the number of seagoing men and women of all grades who were registered at Merseyside Employment Exchanges as unemployed on the 31st December last, and the corresponding figure for 31st December, 1937?
§ Mr. BrownThe available figures relate to wholly unemployed persons, aged 18 years and upwards, registered at Employment Exchanges as applicants for work as members of ships' crews (excluding fishing vessels) or as boatmen on tidal waters. The figures desired for Merseyside Employment Exchanges are 10,575 men and 197 women at 5th December, 1938, and 9,725 men and 179 women at 6th December, 1937.
§ Mr. KirbyCan the Minister explain why, in view of the rearmament programme and general activities in connection with it, there should have been more unemployed at the end of 1938 than at the end of 1937?
§ Mr. BrownThe hon. Member will understand that that is why we are taking action with regard to the shipping industry.
§ Colonel RopnerIs it not a fact that there has been a large reduction in unemployment in shipbuilding centres during the last few weeks?
§ Miss WilkinsonIs it not equally true that owing to the activities of National Shipbuilding Security, Limited, there has been a decrease in the number of places where ships are built?