asked the President of the Board of Trade the production of leather and fabric gloves during the last quarter of 1928 and, for comparison, the corresponding figures for the last quarter of 1925; and whether he can give employment figures in the leather and fabric glove industries in the same periods?

Certain particulars about output and employment are supplied to the Board of Trade by the Joint Industrial Council for the glove-making industry, from which it appears that, as regards leather gloves, 102,020 dozen pairs were produced in the fourth quarter of 1925, and 143,087 dozen pairs in the fourth quarter of 1928. During the former period the average number of persons employed was 7,430, and in the latter period 8,774. As regards fabric gloves, in the fourth quarter of 1925 24,069 dozen pairs were produced, and in the fourth quarter of 1928 57,024 dozen pairs. The average number employed in the former period was 692, and in the latter period 1,266. The figures for leather gloves are stated to relate to firms which, in 1924, employed 88 per cent. of the cutters in that industry. The data for fabric gloves for 1925 relate to firms which employed, in 1924, 88 per cent.; and those for 1928 to firms which employed, in 1924, 82 per cent. of the cutters in that industry. The numbers of workpeople are inclusive of outworkers.

Do I understand that it is reasonable to shorten this by saying that the result of safeguarding the fabric glove industry has been to double production and employment?

Will the hon. Gentleman say how much the wages have increased in that time?

That does not arise out of the question.