HC Deb 22 August 1945 vol 413 cc649-50W
Squadron-Leader Donner

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed at the present time.

Mr. Isaacs

At 16th July, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 111,825 persons registered at employment exchanges in Great Britain as wholly unemployed, 898 registered as temporarily suspended from work on the understanding that they were shortly to return to their former employment, and 745 registered as unemployed casual workers. The number wholly unemployed is exclusive of 19,955 persons who had been classified as unsuitable for ordinary employment.

Squadron-Leader Donner

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women on half-time, part-time or on redundant work in factories at the present time; and, if exact figures are not available, whether he will give an approximate estimate.

Mr. Isaacs

Precise information is not available, but it is estimated that at the end of June approximately 360,000 women were in part-time paid employment in manufacturing industries. It is expected that during the next few months the number of men and women employed on munitions work will be reduced by at least 1,500,000.