§ sir G. JONESasked the Minister of Labour what is the total number of unemployed in Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Russia, respectively, at the latest date?
§ Miss BONDFIELDInformation with regard to all these countries, with the exception of Russia, is given monthly in "The Ministry of Labour Gazette." The following is a summary of the latest available information:
Italy.—According to the latest official figures available, 372,236 workpeople were recorded as unemployed at the end of April.
France.—The total number of unemployed persons on the registers of the public Employment Exchanges at 17th May, 1930, was 11,510.
Holland.—Statistics are not available showing the total numbers unemployed. According to figures compiled by the State Department of Unemployment Insurance and Employment Exchanges, however, out of 408,541 members of subsidised unemployment funds making returns for the week ended 29th March, 1930, 5.1 per cent. were unemployed during the whole week and 2.4 per cent. for less than six days.
Belgium.—Statistics are not available showing the total numbers unemployed. Returns received by the Ministry of Labour, Industry and Social Welfare from approved unemployment insurance societies, with a total membership of 631,919 showed, however, that 2.2 per cent. of these were totally unemployed at 5th April, 1930. In addition 3.5 per cent. were intermittently employed during the month. The total number of days lost through unemployment in February was 624,549, or 4.08 per cent. of the aggregate possible working days.
Germany.—The total number of persons reported by the public Employment Exchanges as unemployed at the end of April was 2,786,912.
Russia.—The number of unemployed persons on the registers of the public Employment Exchanges on 1st February, 1930, was 1,235,600. It would appear, however, that a considerable proportion of unemployed persons, particularly 2572W among members of trade unions, do not register at the public Employment Exchanges and are not, therefore, included in this total.