asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total number of persons employed on the 31st December, 1931, and 31st December, 1932, respectively, in the manufacture of (1) tobacco, (2) boots and shoes, (3) glass bottles, (4) soap and candles, (5) motor bodies, (6) sugar confectionery (including jam), (7) brushmaking, (8) shirtmaking, (9) blanketmaking, (10) hosiery, (11) wholesale clothing (i.e. men's and boys' factory-made clothing), hats, caps, ties and umbrellas; (12) handicraft tailoring, dressmaking, millinery, corsets, etc.; (13) furniture, (14) metallic bedsteads, (15) oatmeal, (16) margarine, (17) rosary beads, (18) woollens, and (19) down quilts.

Information is not compiled showing the number of persons employed in the various industries on the dates mentioned. I hope, however, to have at an early date figures of employment as at the 1st March, 1933.

Has it not been the practice to compile the information quarterly in respect of the matters mentioned in the question?

No, it was never the practice. The information was compiled half-yearly, but owing to the very heavy pressure of work in my Department last year, no figures were available as at the 1st September. We will have a report for the 1st March.

Is any information regarding the number of persons employed in these industries classified under the Official Secrets Act?

I do not know the purport of that question. We have certain information, but the statistics upon which the half-yearly return is based have not been compiled as for the 1st March, 1933.

Does the Minister say that he has information with regard to the 31st December last?

No.

Or the previous 31st December?

No.