§ 18. Mr. Keenanasked the Minister of Labour the number of men and the number of women registered as unemployed on 29th June, 1946; and what number of men and number of women were receiv-standard unemployment benefit on that date.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsAt 17th June there were 261,302 insured men and 100,249 insured women aged 18 and over suitable for ordinary employment registered as unemployed in Great Britain. There were 251,571 men and 86,780 women with applications for insurance benefit or unemployment allowances authorised or under consideration, the great majority of these being in respect of unemployment benefit.
§ Mr. KeenanIs the Minister aware that there is some dissatisfaction because men having long periods of unemployment are not put to work before others who have been unemployed for a shorter time, and would he consider the question of a rota to ensure that they are not out too long at any given time?
§ Mr. EdwardsIt is for the Ministry of Labour to offer men for employment; they have not power at the moment to compel employers—
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAt the moment?
§ Mr. EdwardsThey have not power at the moment nor will they have unless it is granted by this House. It is for the employers to decide.
§ Mr. Walter FletcherHas the Minister by any lucky coincidence the figures for the same date in 1919?
§ Mr. EdwardsYes, Sir, the figure is over 11,000,000.