§ MR. SUMMERBELL (Sunderland)To ask the President of the Local Government Board if he can state, in order to get a share of the £300,000 set apart by the Government for unemployment, whether it is absolutely essential that an area like Southwick-on-Wear. with a population of about 15,000 and a large amount of distress due to unemployment, must set up a distress committee; and, if not, whether the Government contemplate making arrangements to meet the needs of such areas on their putting forward schemes for the unemployed.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) As I have stated in answer to previous Questions, the Parliamentary grant was voted for contributions in aid of expenses under the Unemployed Workmen Act. Hence, in such a case as that mentioned by my hon. friend, I can only make payments from the grant if a distress committee is set up. I am, however willing in this instance, on the receipt of some further necessary information, to consider whether a distress committee might not be established.