HC Deb 02 October 1941 vol 374 cc688-9
5. Wing-Commander James

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that, at a time where there is everywhere an acute shortage of all categories of labour and earnings are at their highest level, the misleading character of the Return of 16th June, showing nearly 250,000 wholly unemployed, is demonstrated, he will take advantage of there being a non-party Government to introduce a form of statistical presentation more illustrative of the true position?

Mr. Bevin

The significance of these figures has been explained on a number of occasions, and I cannot agree that as now presented they are either incorrect or misleading. Substantially, the only change that could be made would be either by suppressing some of the details and thereby giving an opportunity for unscrupulous misrepresentation, or by ceasing publication altogether.