§ 11. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons of 50 years of age and over on the registers of the Employment Exchanges at the last convenient date; and what steps his Department is taking to place these men in employment in Government establishments and in industry generally?
§ Mr. AsshetonThe latest date for which statistics have been obtained showing the numbers of unemployed persons aged 50 years and over was 1st May, 1939. Figures for 1st January, 1940, in respect of unemployed persons aged 45 and over are, however, given in a statement which I propose to circulate in connection with my reply to Question No. 17 by the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson). Every effort is being made to 746 secure for older unemployed persons employment for which they are industrially suitable, and it will be seen from the statement to which I have referred that the persons in the higher age groups who have been long unemployed are sharing substantially in the increased employment that is now available.
§ Mr. GriffithsCan the hon. Gentleman give the House the last available figure relating to men over 50 who are unemployed; and has his Department been in consultation with other Government Departments with the object of removing any age ban that may exist against finding these men proper employment?
§ Mr. AsshetonThe second Question which the hon. Member raises is quite a different matter. With regard to the first Question, I hope that he will be good enough to wait for the answer to be given to Question No. 17.