HC Deb 18 March 1907 vol 171 c488
MR. MORTON

I beg to ask the Prime Minister whether, in the distribution of the £200,000 grant for the unemployed, Scotland is not entitled to 11 per cent., £22,000, on the basis of the equivalent grant; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to secure this sum for that country.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The basis of the allocation of the Grant was not defined when the Vote was granted; the allocation was left to be settled by the Treasury. The Vote was, however, given for the purpose of aiding the distress committees under the Unemployed Workmen Act, where there was exceptional need for assistance in providing work for the unemployed. Hence in making the allocation between the three kingdoms regard was had to the needs of these committees, so far as they could be ascertained, and not to the principle of allocation which has been deemed applicable to grants in aid of local taxation; and I understand that my right hon. friend the Secretary for Scotland regards the needs of Scotland as having been met.

MR. MORTON

But is there no settled principle?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Not in the case of a grant of money like this; and I should think my hon. friend who is a great economist would not wish a larger amount of money to be voted than is necessary—even to Scotland.

MR. MORTON

But is it true economy to give to England what belongs to Scotland?

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

That is another story.