Major DAVIESasked the Minister of Labour if she will supply complete quarterly average figures of employment and unemployment since the second quarter of 1929 in the leather and fabric glove industry, respectively, and of wages in the same industry for the years 1924–29, inclusive?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI regret that as this industry is not separately classified in the statistics relating to unemployment among insured workpeople, figures as to unemployment are not available. As regards employment, I wound refer the hon. Member to the reply, of which I am sending him a copy, given on 1st April by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. and gallant Member for the Bournemouth Division (Sir H. Croft). As regards wages, information was obtained in connection with the special inquiries into earnings, made by the Ministry of Labour in respect of the weeks ended 18th October, 1924, and 27th October, 1928, relating to a large part of the glove-making industry. The particulars obtained are set forth in an article which appeared in pages 352–354 of the October. 1929, issue of the "Ministry of Labour Gazette," of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I regret that comparable figures for other years are not available.