asked the Minister of Labour what are the total number of persons of all ages employed in all branches of the lace industry in Nottingham, together with the number unemployed or working short time?

The estimated number of insured workpeople, 16 years of age and over, engaged in the lace industry in the area of the Nottingham Employment Exchange is 9,370, and on 28th April the number of such persons registered as unemployed was 1,322, or 14.1 per cent. of the total. This number includes those on short time and not working at the date of the return

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these figures do not include large numbers of men and women formerly in the lace trade who are now unemployed?

I cannot tell that.

asked the Minister of Labour if, when the unanimous recommendation of the Committee on the lace industry was turned down, the Government took into consideration the shorter hours worked, and the superior conditions under which the British worker labours, as against his foreign competitor?

Mr. ALEXANDER:

I have been asked to reply. As the President of the Board of Trade informed the hon. Member yesterday, all relevant considerations were taken fully into account before a decision was reached by the Government on this matter.

Is the hon. Member prepared at the Board of Trade to receive a deputation from those interested in the trade, in view of the fact that the turning down of the Report means the destruction of the trade?

Mr. ALEXANDER:

I shall have to refer that question to my right hon. Friend, but I would point out that the Government have already announced their decision on the general question of the Act.