§ Mr. BECKERasked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of money paid during the last 12 months period to trade union officials in salary and travelling expanses, and do the returns received by his Department from trade unions, whether registered as friendly societies or otherwise, give figures showing the amounts of cash advanced for political purposes; and, if so, the total amount so advanced?
Mr. GRAHAMAs regards the first part of the question, I am informed that the compilation of the necessary figures would take more time and labour than the results would warrant, as these would probably be misleading when complete. As regards the second part, complete figures for the period asked for (1923) are not yet in; in 1922 registered trade unions advanced £267,000 for political purposes; figures for unregistered unions are not available.