SCOTLAND. (Hansard, 14 March 1940)

16. Mr. J. J. Davidson
asked the Minister of Labour the total number of registered unemployed in Scotland up to the latest available date?

§ Mr. E. Brown
At 12th February, 1940, there were 184,269 unemployed persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Scotland.

Mr. Davidson
In view of that high figure and the large number of Scottish people away in the Forces or on war work, does the Minister intend to make a survey of the whole position in Scotland in order to bring in some particular scheme?

§ Mr. Brown
I do not think there is any necessity for that, because we are well aware of the position in each area, and I have no doubt there will be as great an improvement as there has been since last year. On 12th February, 1939, the figure was 268,000.

Mr. Davidson
Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the figure is excessively high, in view of the numbers away and those on war work?

§ Mr. Brown
It is too high, and I shall be glad to see it lowered.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
While admitting that unemployment in Scotland has been reduced, is it not a terrible thing for the Government to admit that there are over 100,000 unemployed in Scotland? What are the Government prepared to do to alter that state of affairs?

§ Mr. Brown
If the hon. Member will look at the next figures, he may find that they are better.