§ MR. LEAI beg to ask the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to allot the same amount of money, viz., £200,000, this year for the purpose of assisting distress committees under the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905, as was allocated last year; and, having in view the action of the President of the Local Government Board in returning to the Exchequer £80,000 of that sum, and that no opportunity has been afforded of discussing that matter on the President's salary, can he give the House an assurance that this year it will all be spent in the alleviation of misery, suffering, and want, brought about through lack of employment.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSThe Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this Question. The same amount has been voted this year as last, viz., £200,000, for contributions in aid of expenses under the Unemployed Workmen Act, 1905. As regards payments out of last year's Grant to particular local bodies under the Act, I was only concerned with such payments so far as they related to England and Wales. I made payment in all cases in which the local bodies showed that there was exceptional need for assistance in meeting the cost of providing or contributing to the provision of temporary work, and a scheme of work was proposed of which I could approve. I also gave some assistance towards the expenses of emigration when undertaken by these bodies. More than this I could not properly do, and as the whole of the Grant was not required for the purpose in view, there was of
† (4) Debates, clxxvi., 616–7.1834 necessity a balance which had to be returned into the Exchequer. The amount to be expended out of the grant just voted must depend on what are found to be the requirements of next winter. I could not give any assurance that the whole sum voted will be spent.
§ MR. LEAIs it not a fact that in consequence of the action of the right hon. Gentleman, women's workshops have been closed all over the place, and, in particular, in my constituency?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSThere are only three workwomen's rooms in London.