HC Deb 29 February 1940 vol 357 c2220
11. Mr. David Adams

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of unemployed registered in the county of Durham during the past month; and the comparable numbers for the same period of last year?

Mr. E. Brown

At 15th January, 1940, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 74,509 unemployed persons, aged 14 and over, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the county of Durham. The corresponding figure for 16th January, 1939, was 111,693.

Mr. Adams

Is not the Minister alarmed at this situation, and is he taking appropriate steps to deal with it?

Mr. Brown

The House will see that if the improvement goes on like that, it will be a source of satisfaction.