6. Mr. Rostron Duckworthasked the Minister of Labour, whether the 23,793 women unemployed on 17th August and who were married or for other reasons immobile, mostly live in industrial districts; and whether there is any chance of their being employed even in view of war pressure and great demand for labour?
§ Mr. BevinThe 23,793 women unemployed on 17th August mostly live in industrial districts. The total is less than half of what it was last January and not much more than a quarter of what it was in the preceding August and I could not safely predict any substantial further reduction. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the total consists of constantly changing individuals owing to the movement in and out of employment.