HC Deb 29 February 1940 vol 357 c2223
16. Sir Frank Sanderson

asked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of men, women and boys partially employed and in receipt of unemployment benefit?

Mr. E. Brown

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available. I would remind my hon. Friend that unemployment benefit is not payable for the first three days of a spell of unemployment nor, in general, for any day during any part of which the applicant is employed.

Sir F. Sanderson

Does not my right hon. Friend consider that the present method of compiling unemployment statistics is somewhat misleading as showing that the extent of unemployment is greater than it really is and can he not have an improvement made in the present method?

Mr. Brown

It is not so much the statistics and their compilation but the use and presentation of them.

Mr. Thorne

Are the Board going to recommend the abolition of the three days' waiting period?

Mr. Brown

I have just received the report and the House will soon be in possession of it.

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