§ Mr. E. Walkdenasked the Minister of Labour if he can provide up-to-date figures of the number of persons now employed by firms known as football pool promoters; and what were the comparable figures of persons employed in pre-war years.
§ Mr. BevinWith very few exceptions the only persons now engaged on this work are immobile workers of very poor medical standard who would otherwise be likely to be unemployed. Precise figures are not available, but it is estimated that the number of persons now employed in firms conducting football pools is not more than one-eighth of the number employed before the war.