§ 21. Mr. Mawbyasked the Minister of Labour what evidence he has that the increased unemployment during recent months has led to a more effective use of labour.
§ Mr. HattersleySome evidence indicating a more effective use of labour though not of the cause is provided by comparing movements in the Index of Industrial Production and the numbers employed in industries covered by the index. Between September and March, the index remained fairly steady apart from seasonal movements but there was a fall of about 3 per cent. in employment.
We have, however, still to obtain the full benefits of the greater attention now being given to the more efficient use of manpower by employers and trade unions.
§ Mr. MawbyIs the Minister satisfied that the Government are on the right tack in deliberately bringing about a high level of unemployment, in the hope, and only in the hope, with a "guesstimate", that it will lead to people going into the industries where they are most needed, when he says that there is very little evidence to show that there has been any beneficial effect of the higher level of unemployment which he announced in an earlier Answer?
§ Mr. HattersleyI am completely satisfied that some of the objects of the 20th July measures have been and are being accomplished. I reiterate what I said at the end of my original Answer, that we still have a long way to go, but our hopes are that owing to the co-operation from management and trade unions, those long-term objectives will be achieved.