Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 14 May 1924.
Mr Herbert Spencer
, Bradford South
asked the Minister of Labour if he can give the figures for unemployment in Bradford in December last, about the date of the General Election, and those of the 28th April; and whether he can give the House any reasons for the very great improvement in the condition of employment during the last five months?
Mr Thomas Shaw
, Preston
On 28th April the number of insured workpeople in Bradford registered as unemployed or working systematic short-time was 6,265, as compared with 12,882 at 21st December, 1923. About two-thirds of this decrease is attributable to the woollen and worsted industry, in which there has been a continuous improvement since December. There has also been an improvement in the last three months in the Bradford engineering and ironfounding trades. I could not undertake to specify the reasons for the improvement in trade which has taken place.
Mr Herbert Spencer
, Bradford South
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that just before the General Election there was a demand by a section of the manufacturers of Bradford to get 33⅓ per cent. under the Safeguarding of Industries Act, and that it was refused and we have done without it?
Mr Thomas Shaw
, Preston
I am quite aware of that.
Mr Ben Turner
, Batley and Morley
Is it not a fact that the Minister of Labour could answer that the state of trade has improved ever since the Labour Government came into office?
Mr Neil Maclean
, Glasgow Govan
Can the right hon. Gentleman supply figures for Bradford as to how much drink is consumed by the unemployed in Bradford as compared with Glasgow?
In a general election, each constituency chooses an MP to represent it by process of election. The party who wins the most seats in parliament is in power, with its leader becoming Prime Minister and its Ministers/Shadow Ministers making up the new Cabinet. If no party has a majority, this is known as a hung Parliament. The next general election will take place on or before 3rd June 2010.
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