HC Deb 15 December 1925 vol 189 cc1211-4W
Mr. PIELOU

asked the Minister of Labour the unemployed figures for the towns of Oldbury, Cradley, Halesowen, and Stourbridge on the 31st December, 1924; and the figures for the same towns on the 30th November, 1925?

Mr. BETTERTON

The following Table gives the available information:

Persons on the Registers of certain Employment Exchanges.
Oldbury Cradely Heath (including Halesowen) Stourbridge.
29tb December, 1924.
Men 1,417 5,839 1,724
Boys 58 180 45
Women 453 1,035 344
Girls 133 79 26
Total 2,061 7,133 2,139
30th November, 1925.
Men 1,002 3,311 1,446
Boys 8 46 29
Women 154 370 236
Girls 35 21 13
Total 1,199 3,748 1,724

Mr. BECKETT

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in each of the main industries in October, 1925, the percentage of unemployed in the same industries in October, 1925, and the percentage increase or decrease compared with October, 1924?

Mr. BETTERTON

The information desired is contained in the November issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Mr. LOUGHER

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give figures showing the number of men drawing unemployment pay in the chief ports of South Wales at the present time compared with the figures of three months ago, distinguishing the various trades, such as ship repairing, transport work, coal trimmers, seamen, and general workers; the total number of workers unemployed at Cardiff (including Penarth and Barry), Newport, Swansea, and Port Talbot; the total number of persons now drawing unemployment benefit in South Wales and Monmouthshire; and the total amount of unemployment pay distributed per month in South Wales and Monmouthshire for the first nine months of this year, compared with the corresponding period of last year?

Mr. BETTERTON

At 26th October, 1926, there were 91,093 persons in South Wales and Monmouthshire with current claims to benefit, but I cannot say how many were actually in receipt of benefit at that date. As regards the other points, the reply involves a number of figures, and I will, with the permission of my right hon. Friend, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

TABLE A.—Number of Insured Men recorded as unemployed at the chief ports of South Wales.* (By principal industries.)
Industry. 24th Aug., 1925 23rd Nov., 1925.
Building 894 1,073
Public Works Contracts 770 764
Shipbuilding 3,755 3,318
Iron and Steel 2,506 2,146
Brass, copper, zinc, tin, etc. 508 385
Tinplates 756 451
Iron and steel tubes 215 264
Artificial stone and concrete manufacture. 776 877
Shipping service 1,925 1,394
Canal, river, dock service 3,583 4,406
Road transport, other than trams and omnibuses. 311 334
Coal mining 2,704 1,681
Distributive 759 1,152
All other insured industries 3,430 3,286
Totals 22,892 21,531
* Area covered by Employment Exchanges at Cardiff, Buts Docks, Penarth, Barry, Newport, Newport Docks, Swansea, Swansea Docks and Port Talbot
TABLE B.—Number of Insured Persons recorded as unemployed at each of the chief ports in South Wales.
Area. 24th Aug.,1925. 23rd Nov., 1925.
Cardiff 3,970 4,927
Bute Dock 3,722 3,742
Penarth 408 613
Barry 1,778 1,970
Newport 2,193 2,352
Newport Dock 1,501 1,719
Swansea . 4,399 3,442
Swansea Dock 2,151 1,730
Port Talbot 5,042 3,175
Total 25,164 23,676
TABLE C.—Total Amount of Unemployment Benefit distributed per month in South Wales and Monmouthshire for the First nine months of 1925 compared with the corresponding period of 1924.
1924. 1925.
£ £
January 69,000 308,000
February 95,000 242,000
March 64,000 255,000
April 62,000 262,000
May 80,000 289,000
June 78,000 266,000
July 82,000 337,000
August 117,000 284,000
September 154,000 332,000
Total 801,000 2,575,000
The above figures do not include benefit paid through Associations under Section 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1920.