Statistics.

Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 8 December 1938.

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Photo of Mr Harry Day Mr Harry Day , Southwark Central

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons at present on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain who are wholly unemployed; the number shown as temporarily stopped; the number of persons on short time; and the number of persons who have been transferred from the depressed areas to the Metropolitan area in general and the borough of Southwark in particular for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

Photo of Mr Ernest Brown Mr Ernest Brown , Leith

At 14th November, 1938, there were on the registers of Em- ployment Exchanges in Great Britain 1,522,607 persons wholly unemployed (including 66,939 normally in casual employment) and 305,496 temporarily stopped. Short time workers not at work on the day of the count are included in the latter category, but are not separately distinguished in the statistics. The number of persons transferred from the depressed areas under the industrial transference scheme and placed in employment by the Department in the Metropolitan area during the year ended 30th September, 1938, was 4,670. A corresponding figure for the borough of Southwark alone is not available.

Photo of Mr Harry Day Mr Harry Day , Southwark Central

In view of the extravagant promises that were made by Government candidates at the last two elections in which they said they were the only party that had a cure for unemployment, will the right hon. Gentleman state what is the explanation of these figures?

Photo of Mr Ernest Brown Mr Ernest Brown , Leith

The hon. Member must be confusing the manifesto of the other side of the House with that of this side.

Photo of Mr Harry Day Mr Harry Day , Southwark Central

Is the Minister aware that Government candidates said they were the only party who had a cure for unemployment?

Photo of Mr Ernest Brown Mr Ernest Brown , Leith

I am not aware of that, but I know the candidates were able to point to a substantial improvement, and still are.