HC Deb 01 February 1940 vol 356 cc1234-5
4. Sir Reginald Clarry

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the total number of workpeople registered as unemployed is a correct indication of the actual number who are capable of being employed in suitable work as and when offered?

Mr. E. Brown

With few exceptions all the persons on the registers are capable of work. It should be noted, however, that the inclusion of a person in the total does not necessarily mean more than that he was unemployed on the day of the count. For this and other reasons the number available for an expansion of industrial requirements is very much less than the total.

Sir R. Clarry

Can my right hon. Friend give me any figures?

Mr. Brown

I can only give an approximate figure, unless I give the figure for a particular date. If my hon. Friend will give a date, I will give him full information.

Mr. Lawson

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate why these figures have been so closely examined, in view of the statements made in the Press, and what is the nature of the examination?

Mr. Brown

I have seen various statements in the Press, but what I have been asked is the relation of the total on the register to the number available for industrial expansion. As the figures show any month, on examination, large numbers of those who make up the monthly total are going from job to job, and therefore are not available for other jobs.

Mr. Lawson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this kind of question gives a pointer to the whole problem; is he aware that there is great concern about this revelation of the figures; and will he give the House an opportunity of reconsidering the question before any vital change is made in the method?

Mr. Brown

There will be no vital change unless the House is consulted. The real issue that arises is that people treat the total number registered as the number that can be immediately mobilised for the industrial effort of the nation. The Question was asked for the purpose of determining whether or not that total could be so mobilised. The answer is "No," as an analysis of the figures any month will show.