§ 35. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed were registered at the Brixton Employment Exchange in March, 1951. 1952 and 1953, respectively.
§ The Minister of Labour (Sir Walter Monckton)1,265 at 12th March, 1951; 1,773 at 17th March, 1952; and 2,219 at 16th March, 1953.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan the Minister explain why these figures should be so much worse in Brixton than the average for the whole of the country? Did he bring this distressing increase to the notice of the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Chancellor was deciding to whom the bounty should be distributed in this year's Budget?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI was not consulted about what the hon. and gallant Gentleman describes as a "bounty," but I am sure he would be the first to say that one could not look at all the distinctions between Brixton and the rest of the country without reflecting, first of all, that in Brixton it is a good thing that the number is 200 fewer than last month 366 and that in the rest of the country there is a drop between 1952 and 1953 of no fewer than 36,000 in the number of unemployed.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhat is the right hon. and learned Gentleman's position? On which leg does he stand? When the unemployment figures rise does he pass the buck to somebody else? On the other hand, when the unemployment figures decline, does he take credit for it?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI think I may say that I try to stand firmly upon a tripod. I take the middle course of regretting any rise in unemployment and of following a policy of attempting to do what I can in the limits of my Department to reduce those figures.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman please recognise the dismal fact that the unemployment figures for Brixton are nearly twice as high now as they were two years ago?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI do recognise the figures. I recognise that the figures have gone up in that way. I am glad it is not true of the country as a whole. I shall do what I can in that area.