HC Deb 11 June 1942 vol 380 cc1217-8
9. Mr. Tinker

asked the Minister of Labour the reason why there are now 108,963 wholly unemployed on the employment exchange register; and what steps are being taken to find them suitable work?

Mr. McCorquodale

This total, which is a very small proportion of the number in employment, consists mainly of persons who are passing from one job to the next or juveniles about to obtain their first post. Though unemployed on the day of the count, they remain so, as a rule, only for a short time. Special attention is given by the exchange to any case in which a person remains on the register for any length of time.

Mr. Tinker

I agree that the numbers are comparatively small, but does it not seem to be wrong that 100,000 people should be out of work at the present time? Is my hon. Friend aware that my object is to get greater efficiency on the part of the Department in putting these people in work? There are 10,000 boys and 10,000 girls who are out of work, and, surely, something can be done to get them into employment?

Mr. McCorquodale

We are always doing our best to hasten the change-over from one job to another and to keep these people from being unemployed for any length of time. I am sure that this has nothing to do with any long-term unemployment.

Sir Herbert Williams

Is it not a fact that twice the normal proportion of these people happen to be in my constituency, and is the Minister aware that they are not all changing jobs, but that some have been out of work for quite a long time?

Forward to