HC Deb 08 July 1925 vol 186 c432W
Brigadier-General BROWN

asked the Minister of Labour what wore the approximate numbers of unemployed in 1013, exclusive of Ireland, and what were the approximate numbers employed in 1913 and at the present time?

Sir A. STEEL-MAITLAND

I have no information as to the total number of persons unemployed at any date in 1913, but the mean percentage rate of unemployment in that year among members of certain trade unions making returns was 21, and among the 2½ millions of persons at that time insured against unemployment under the National Insurance Act, 1911, the mean percentage rate for the United Kingdom was 3.6; figures exclusive of Ireland are not available for 1913. The total number of persons in Great Britain enumerated at the Population Censuses as gainfully occupied was 19,351,319 in 1921 as compared with 13,351,366 in 1911. Those figures include sick and unemployed persons as well as those actually in employment. Corresponding figures for 1913 and 1925 are not available.