§ Mr. CECIL WILSONasked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Committee on trade and industry state, in regard to short-time and underemployment, that the available data are very scanty; and whether any attempt is being made to render them more complete?
§ Mr. BETTERTONI am aware of the statement referred to. Since the Committee reported, statistics have been 253W compiled and published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" showing the hours actually worked, and the extent of short-time working, in each of four weeks of 1924, in the principal manufacturing industries. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the current issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," in which the figures for each of the main industry groups are summarised on pages 251–252. I may add that arrangements are under consideration for keeping this information up-to-date by means of a limited inquiry conducted each year.