§ 35. Captain Sir Peter Macdonaldasked the Minister of Labour the number of 163 people registered as unemployed in the Isle of Wight on 1st March 1946; and what was the number on 1st August 1945.
§ Mr. IsaacsStatistics are not available in respect of 1st March, 1946, and 1st August, 1945.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldWhy not?
§ Mr. IsaacsLet me answer the Question first. The numbers of unemployed insured persons suitable for ordinary employment on the registers of employment exchanges in the Isle of Wight at 14th January, 1946, and 13th August, 1945, were 761 and 39 respectively.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these numbers have greatly increased since then, and that no effort has been made to find alternative employment for these people, who amount to something over 3,000? Why has the right hon. Gentleman not got up to date figures?
§ Mr. IsaacsThe only difference in the figures I have given is that the hon. and gallant Gentleman asked for the first of the month and I have given the 13th and 14th of the months to which they are made up. As to the second part of this supplementary question, I do not accept that he has been correctly informed.
§ Sir P. MacdonaldI asked for 1st March, 1946.
§ Mr. IsaacsI have given the figures up to the date on which they are recorded.