§ 17. Mr. Emeryasked the Minister of Labour why the unemployment returns are still published in a misleading form, notwithstanding the protests of the chambers of commerce in April, 1939; and will he arrange for a correct form to be used, showing the average ebb and flow on the 2224 unemployment registers of those who, owing to physical and mental infirmity, cannot remain employed for long periods?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe unemployment returns as now published give a correct total of the number of persons registered for employment who are unemployed on the day of the count. The periodical returns of those unemployed for long periods were discontinued at the outbreak of war, but I obtained a special return for a date in January, which showed a large reduction, and I propose to obtain other special returns of the same nature from tune to time.