asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons thrown out of employment as the result of the closing down of the 355 factories during last year?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR:

(Mr. R. S. Hudson): I regret that this information is not available.

Does it not seem strange to hold an inquiry such as was held last year into the number of foreign factories established in this country and the number of persons employed in those new factories, and yet we cannot get the information as to the number of men displaced by the closing down of other factories?

Mr. HUDSON:

The information was got in respect of new factories, and if the hon. Member wants information about those closed down, I will consult my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade as to whether he can get it.

Were not these factories closed down because of the Labour Government?

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he has not seen the question which I put to the President of the Board of Trade?

Will my hon. Friend not only obtain the figures for this year, but the figures for 1930 and 1931 so that the House can judge of the improvement of trade?

Mr. HUDSON:

I do not know whether those figures are available, or, if they were, whether the hon. Member for Aberdare (Mr. G. Hall) would like them.

Has not the hon. Gentleman seen the question which I put to the President of the Board of Trade with regard to the opening of new factories for the past six years?

Mr. HUDSON:

Yes, I have seen that question.