§ Mr. S. MITCHELLasked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that there is a larger percentage of unemployed in Scotland as compared with other parts of the United Kingdom; and whether he would be willing to appoint a Committee to investigate the causes and to make recommendations as to how local industries might be assisted or resuscitated?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am informed by the Ministry of Labour that the percentage of unemployment among insured persons in Scotland is at present higher than the percentage for England and Wales as a whole, although for certain districts in England and Wales the percentage is much higher than for Scotland as a whole. While I regret the prevalence of unemployment, which is especially severe in the shipbuilding and engineering trades, I do not think that the course suggested by my hon. Friend would serve any sufficient purpose. The question of unemployment is constantly under examination by the Unemployment Committee of the Cabinet, which is prepared to consider any suggestions which may be made to it.
ALIEN'S ORDER, 1920, ARTICLE 1 (3) (b). SUMMARY of Permits Granted and Refused during the Period 29th December, 1923–31st December, 1924. Classes of Labour. Granted. Refused. Domestic servants 1,230 480 Musicians (including soloists) 82 13 Theatrical, vaudeville and concert artistes 1,034 101 Foreign correspondence clerks, volunteer business trainees, etc. 521 143 Telegraph operators (transfers from foreign stations) 61 — Mosaic, terrazzo and marble workers, etc. 43 20 Engineers (to erect and repair imported machinery—admitted for short periods only). 99 19 Sugar-beet workers (seasonal employment) 73 1 Seine-net fishers, cod-splitters, etc. (seasonal vacancies) 49 — Hotel and restaurant employes (mainly in exchange for British employes proceeding abroad for experience. 180 50 Teachers of foreign languages' 262 23 Nurses (mainly probationers for training) 17 8 Miscellaneous (including briar pipe makers, chemists, designers embroidery and millinery, glassowrkers, masseurs, social workers, spelter furnace men, tailors, watch and watch case makers, etc) 224 352 TOTALS 3,875 1,210