§ Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Labour if he can give statistics relating to the number of unemployed young men in Great Britain at the latest available date?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThe unemployment statistics obtained periodically by the Ministry do not distinguish between persons of various ages, say as between persons of 18 years of age and upwards and those below that age. The number of males under 18 years of age recorded as unemployed in Great Britain on the 19th May, 1924, was 34,600. From special inquiries made on three occasions in the past 18 months it was, however, ascertained that approximately 24 per cent. of the unemployed male adults were under 25 years of age, and if this percentage be applied to the present number of males over 18 years of age recorded as unem- 623W ployed the resultant figure would be approximately 182,000. It should be noted that as 16 years is the lowest age for unemployment insurance, the figures for persons below that age is not nearly so complete as that for persons above that age.