HC Deb 05 March 1946 vol 420 cc162-3
35. Captain Sir Peter Macdonald

asked the Minister of Labour the number of people registered as unemployed in the Isle of Wight on 1st March 1946; and what was the number on 1st August 1945.

Mr. Isaacs

Statistics are not available in respect of 1st March, 1946, and 1st August, 1945.

Sir P. Macdonald

Why not?

Mr. Isaacs

Let 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. Macdonald

Is 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. Isaacs

The 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. Macdonald

I asked for 1st March, 1946.

Mr. Isaacs

I have given the figures up to the date on which they are recorded.