§ 25. Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Labour the number of persons at present directly engaged on work on all schemes approved on or after 1st June, 1929, and the cost of same?
§ Miss BONDFIELDOn schemes of a total value of approximately £77,000,000 sanctioned since 1st June, 1929, about 86,000 men were returned as directly employed on the various sites in Mid-December last. The total of £77,000,000 includes schemes to the value of about £26,000,000 under Part I of the Development Act, the employment value of which is preponderantly indirect. In addition, there are schemes to the value of about £10,000,000 approved by the Unemployment Grants Committee which are in operation but for which employment returns are not at present available.
§ Sir K. WOODAs regards the figure of 86,000 for whom direct employment has been obtained since the present Government took office, is that an estimate, or have the figures been ascertained through the local authorities?
§ Miss BONDFIELDFrom their sources.
§ Sir K. WOODWhat are the sources?
§ Miss BONDFIELDIf the right hon. Gentleman will put dowry a question, I will give him an answer.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWith reference to the total of £77,000,000 for approved schemes, will the right hon. Lady say over how many years that extends?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThat is the amount from the 1st June, 1929.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNCan the right hon. Lady say whether it is the average of two, three or five years?
§ Miss BONDFIELDThey vary. The schemes of the Unemployment Grants Committee are of various lengths. The majority of them are for short periods but some of them are for long periods. Some of the road schemes belong to what is called the five-year plan.
§ Mr. McSHANEIs the right hon. Lady aware that there are very serious complaints frequently made against the 19 extraordinary delay on the part of the Unemployment Grants Committee in sanctioning schemes of work, and will she take any course of action to expedite those schemes?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI think, if the hon. Member will inquire, he will find that in particular cases the delay does not rest with the Unemployment Grants Committee.
§ Sir H. CROFTIs it riot a fact that the total number of persons employed on these schemes does not equal the increased number employed in the motor industry under the McKenna Duties?
§ Sir D. HERBERTIs the right hon. Lady able to say how many of these 86,000 people who have been found employment under the schemes of the Unemployment Grants Committee are men who actually have their homes in Ireland, and who have been imported over here for the purpose of these schemes?
§ Miss BONDFIELDI should say none at all.