Oral Answers to Questions — Unemployment. – in the House of Commons at on 9 March 1939.
Mr John Tinker
, Leigh
asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, male, who are signing the unemployed register at Leigh Employment Exchange who have been out of employment for more than six months; and the number over 50 years of age?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
Of 2,435 unemployed males, aged 16–64, on the registers of the Leigh Employment Exchange, who were applying for unemployment benefit or unemployment allowances at 13th February, 1939, 804 had been continuously on the registers for six months or more. Separate figures are not available as to the numbers over 50 years of age included in this total.
Mr John Tinker
, Leigh
Will the right hon. Gentleman try to get the figures in regard to the last part of the question, as there is a feeling that the aged people are being cast on one side and are getting no employment?
Mr Ernest Brown
, Leith
In the last three years I have made a special analysis in regard to certain age groups in May and November of each year. I will let the hon. Member know what the ages are nearest the figures for which he asks?
Mr Gordon Macdonald
, Ince
Will the right hon. Gentleman do that with special reference to the mining industry?
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.
