HC Deb 06 December 1934 vol 295 cc1848-9W
Mr. G. MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Labour the number of work-people employed in the cotton industry in Lancashire during the week ended 31st July, 1931, and for the latest week for which figures are available?

Mr. STANLEY

Separate statistics of the estimated numbers of insured persons, and of such persons recorded as unemployed, in particular industries, are ordinarily compiled only for administrative divisions and not for individual counties. The following Table gives, for the cotton industry classification in the North Western Division (which includes, besides Lancashire, the Counties of Cheshire, Cumberland and Westmorland, and the Glossop and New Mills Districts of Derbyshire) the estimated numbers of insured persons, aged 16 to 64, at the beginning of July in each of the years 1931 and 1934, and the numbers of such persons recorded as unemployed at a date towards the end of July in these years.

— 1931. 1934.
Estimated number of insured persons at beginning of July. 494,020 416,750
Insured persons recorded as unemployed towards the end of July 219,910 111,623
Difference (including persons in employment and those absent from work through sickness). 274,110 305,127

Particulars are not available of the changes which have occurred in the total number of insured persons in the cotton industry in the North Western Division since July of this year, but the number of insured persons recorded as unemployed at 22nd October, 1934, was 103,562.

Mr. MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Labour the total wages paid to work-people in the cotton industry in Lancashire during the week ended 31st July, 1931, and for the latest week for which figures are available?

Mr. STANLEY

I regret that statistics are not available showing the total amount of weekly wages paid to work-people in this industry.