§ Mr. HANNONasked the Minister of Labour whether he has any official information as to the causes of the increase of unemployment in the brush and broom-making industry, as set forth in the February issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," the percentages at 25th January being for males 17.1 per cent. and females 11.4 per cent., or a total percentage of 14.6 per cent., which show an 448W increase of 3.6 per cent. as compared with 28th January, 1924; and whether he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe causes of unemployment in this trade were discussed in the Report of the Committee on Broom and Brushes presented to this House last year as Command Paper No. 2549. The percentage of unemployment at the end of February of this year was 10.8, as compared with 10.2 and 10.7 at the corresponding dates in 1925 and 1924.