§ 5. Mr. McEnteeasked the Minister of Labour what number of men, women, boys, and girls were registered as unemployed at the outbreak of war; what is 1368 the number to-day; and will he make a statement of the steps being taken to organise this wasting labour power for productive work?
§ Mr. E. BrownAs the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. McEnteeCan the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question which is not concerned with figures?
§ Mr. BrownAs regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in the House yesterday.
§ Mr. McEnteeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement he made yesterday is not the same kind of statement which he has been making for the last 18 months, and when can we have something done instead of so much talk?
§ Following is the reply:
§ The Table below shows the numbers of men, boys, women and girls registered as unemployed in Great Britain at 14th August and at 16th October, 1939.
| Numbers registered as unemployed at | ||
| 14th August, 1939 | 16th October, 1939 | |
| Men, aged 18 and over | 908,752 | 903,127 |
| Boys, under 18 years | 38,347 | 43,920 |
| Women, aged 18 and over | 245,209 | 417,798 |
| Girls, under 18 years | 39,384 | 65.793 |
| Total | 1,231,692 | 1,430,638 |
§ As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in the House yesterday.