§ Mr. HICKSasked the Minister of Labour the estimated changes since 1923 in the numbers of registered unemployed in Great Britain due to legislative and administrative changes in unemployment insurance, showing additions or decreases in every case?
Mr. HUDSONAn article giving the information desired in respect of the period from February, 1924, to December, 1929, was published on page 50 of the February, 1030, issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette. In May, 1930, the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1930, was estimated on such information as was available, to have added about 60,000 or 3.5 per cent. to the register. In the light of later information this figure is certainly a considerable under-estimate, and does not make sufficient allowance for the effect of relaxed conditions in attracting claims which would not otherwise have been made, an effect which cannot be measured by statistical methods. Between last October and the end of January, legislative and administrative changes had reduced the register by a figure estimated at about 145,000, or 5.3 per cent. of the total, at the end of January.