§ Sir H. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour whether he can make a statement giving particulars of the extent of unemployment in the principal industries of the country for the month of January in the years 1914, 1920, and 1921?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe only basis of comparison available is that given in the percentage of unemployed members of certain trade unions (mainly skilled workers) furnished to the Ministry. The comparison is shown in the following Table:—
TRADE UNION PERCENTAGE OF UNEMPLOYED. Industry. End of Jan., J921 Jan., 1914. Jan., 1920. Building 5.9 0.3 2.0* Coal Mining 0.6 0.1 0.8 Engineering and Shipbuilding. 2.5 6.8 8.5 Miscellaneous Metals Textiles:— 1.7 0.7 9.6 Cotton 2.0 2.0 5.8 Woolen and Worsted. 3.8 1.0 8.9 Other 1.8 1.0 7.8 Printing, Bookbinding, and Paper. 3.7 1.0 6.2 Furnishing 3.4 0.3 10.4 Woodworking 0.9 5.3 Clothing:— Boot and Shoe 2.3 0.7 11.0 Other Clothing 2.8 0.8 9.6 Leather 6.7 0.9 11.7 Glass 0.5 0.5 1.7 Pottery 0.8 0.3 0.7 Tobacco 2.3 0.6 28.1 Total 2.5 2.9 6.9 * Figures relate mainly to December. NOTE.—Workers on short time of whom there were at the end of January 638,154 claimants at Employment Exchanges are not included in the above percentages