HC Deb 16 February 1939 vol 343 cc1914-5W
Mr. C. Wilson

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the number of persons registered as unemployed at the Sheffield and Attercliffe Exchanges has risen from 22,799 in December, 1938, to 28,823 in January, 1939; and whether he will indicate the employments in which the greater part of this increase occurs?

Mr. E. Brown

I am aware of the changes in the numbers unemployed to which the hon. Member refers. Part of the increase in January, 1939, was due to bad weather at the date of the count.

The following table shows, for the industries which account for the greater part of the increases, the numbers of insured persons, aged 14–64, recorded as unemployed in the Sheffield and Attercliffe areas at 17th January, 1938, 12th December, 1938, and 16th January, 1939:

Industry. Insured Persons, aged 14–64, recorded as unemployed on Increase.
17th January, 1938. 12th December, 1938. 16th January, 1939. January, 1938 to January, 1939. December, 1938 to January, 1939.
Steel Melting, Iron and Steel Rolling, etc. 2,533 5,304 5,791 3,258 487
Building 1703 1,524 2,970 1,267 1,446
Hand Tools, Cutlery, etc. 3,360 3,315 4,345 985 1,030
General Engineering, etc. 715 1,045 1,309 594 264
Public Works Contracting 684 920 1,146 462 226
Watches, Clocks, etc. 1,169 924 1,482 313 558

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