asked the Minister of Labour what is the latest number available of theatrical employés out of employment.; and how many of these are drawing unemployment benefit?

The number of musicians, actors, and theatre, music-hall and cinema employés registered at Employment Exchanges in Great Britain on 1st June, 1925, the latest date available, was 3,402 (men, 3,168; women, 1,234). Without making a special investigation it is not possible to say definitely how many of these are in receipt of unemployment benefit, but it is estimated that about 2,850 (men, 1,900, and women, 950) would have had current claims to benefit at that date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these people are thrown out of work because soldiers have been employed in their spare time to take their places in the West End?

I am not aware of that to any appreciable extent.

Is there any figure to show what proportion that figure bears to the total number of employés?

I asked that question for my own satisfaction, but I found that for these particular trades there is no census figure available.