Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 28 June 1922.
Mr James Gilbert
, Southwark Central
asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement as to unemployment in London at the present time; whether there has been a general decrease for men, women, and young persons leaving school during the last few months; and how do the present figures of unemployed in London compare with the highest figures he has recorded?
Mr Thomas Macnamara
, Camberwell North West
There has been a continuous improvement in employment in the Greater London area during recent months. The percentage unemployed in insured trades on 22nd May, 1922, in the Greater London area was 10.6, as compared with 12.1 at the end of last January, and 13.2 on 27th May, 1921, when unemployment was at its highest point. On 19th June, 1922, there were on the live registers of Employment Exchanges in this area 156,775 men, 30,007 women, and 11,022 boys and girls; compared with 183,036 men, 81,193 women, and 28,382 boys and girls on 27th May, 1921.
Mr Alfred Yeo
, Poplar South Poplar
Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement in the papers by the Mayor of Poplar that two yards have made application for unemployed, as they have work waiting to be done, and they cannot get the men in consequence of the treatment they are receiving at the hands of the guardians?
Mr Alfred Yeo
, Poplar South Poplar
I will fetch it.
Mr Morgan Jones
, Caerphilly
Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire as to the accuracy of the statement?
Sir Percy Hurd
, Frome
In view of the enormous demand for domestic servants, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there are 30,000 unemployed?
Mr Alfred Yeo
, Poplar South Poplar
left the Chamber, and returned with a copy of a newspaper, which he handed to Dr. Macnamara.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
